Normal Operation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Montego, 2005 Ford Freestyle, and 2005 Ford Five Hundred. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
When the steering wheel is turned, the steering shaft rotates in the steering column on bearings. When the engine is running, fluid is drawn into the power steering pump from the power steering pump reservoir. Hydraulic fluid is pressurized in the power steering pump and sent to the steering gear. The rotary valve determines fluid direction to assist the driver in the turning of the vehicle. When the steering wheel is turned, the steering gear converts this hydraulic pressure and flow into mechanical motion that moves the front wheels in the direction of the turn. The steering gear uses inner tie rods and tie rod ends to connect the front knuckles, which then pivot on the ball joints, steering the vehicle.