Steering (Description): Description and operation

Description

General

The major steering components comprise an impact absorbing telescopic steering column, a Power Assisted Steering (PAS) box, a PAS pump, and fluid reservoir. Hydraulic fluid from the fluid reservoir is filtered and then supplied through the suction line to the inlet on the PAS pump. The PAS pump supplies fluid to the steering box through a pressure line routed above the front cross member. Fluid returns to the reservoir along the same route through a return line. On LH drive vehicles the pipe route above the front cross member is still used, the length of pipe acting as an oil cooler.

To minimise driver's injury in the event of an accident the steering system has a number of safety features including a collapsible steering column. An additional safety feature is an air bag located in the steering wheel. RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description - SRS.

Steering column assembly and intermediate shaft

The steering column central shaft comprises of two shafts, the upper shaft is splined to accept the steering wheel and located in bearings in the column tube. A universal joint is located on the bottom of the upper shaft, the joint allows for angular movement between the upper and lower shafts. The lower shaft is made in two parts, the top section of the lower shaft is located outside of the lower section. The two sections of the lower shaft are connected by two nylon injection moulded shear pins. The lower shaft goes through a lower bearing attached to the bulkhead, the lower shaft is connected by a universal joint to the intermediate shaft in the engine compartment.

Steering column An upper column tube provides for the location of the steering lock and ignition switch and also the steering switch gear and a rotary coupler. The rotary coupler provides the electrical connection for the steering wheel mounted airbag, switches and horn. The upper mounting bracket has two slots, a slotted metal bracket is held in each slot by four resin shear pins.

The column is mounted on four captive studs which are located on a column mounting bracket. The captive studs pass through the metal brackets, locknuts secure the steering column to the bulkhead. The two lower mountings are fixed and cannot move when loads are applied to them. The upper mounting is designed to disengage or deform when a load is applied, allowing the column to collapse in the event of an accident. The steering column must be replaced as a complete assembly if necessary.

When an axial load is applied to the upper column tube, energy absorption is achieved by the following mechanism: l the mounting bracket deforms, l the resin shear pins holding the slotted metal brackets shear, l the top mounting bracket slides out of the slotted metal brackets.

The slotted metal brackets remain on the captive studs on the bulkhead. If the column mounting moves, injection moulded shear pins retaining the two sections of the lower column shaft will shear. This allows the two sections of the lower shaft to 'telescope' together.

In the event of a collision where the steering box itself moves, two universal joints in the column allow the intermediate shaft to articulate, minimising movement of the column towards the driver. If movement continues energy absorption is achieved by the following mechanism: l the decouple joint in the intermediate shaft will disengage, l the lower section of the steering column shaft will move through the lower bearing, l the injection moulded shear pins retaining the two sections of the lower column shaft will shear.

This allows the two sections of the lower shaft to 'telescope' together reducing further column intrusion. Protection to the drivers face and upper torso is provided by an SRS airbag module located in the centre of the steering wheel. RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description - SRS.