Jeep Cherokee

 Service Manual

Steering » Power steering gear
Description and operation

POWER STEERING GEAR

DESCRIPTION

The power steering gear is a recirculating ball type gear with a 14:1 ratio.

OPERATION

The gear acts as a rolling thread between the worm shaft and rack piston. The worm shaft is supported by a thrust bearing at the lower end and a bearing assembly at the upper end. When the worm shaft is turned the rack piston moves. The rack piston teeth mesh with the pitman shaft. Turning the worm shaft turns the pitman shaft, which turns the steering linkage.

CAUTION: Components attached with a nut and cotter pin must be torqued to specification. Then if the slot in the nut does not line up with the cotter pin hole, tighten nut until it is aligned. Never loosen the nut to align the cotter pin hole.

Description and operation

Diagnosis and testing

Removal and installation

Disassembly and assembly

Adjustments

Specifications

Special tools