Steering (Steering damper): Description and operation

The PAS pump is located on the auxiliary housing, two bolts go through the PAS pump, mounting bracket and into the auxiliary housing. One bolt also attaches the mounting bracket to the PAS pump, two bolts secure the mounting bracket to the auxiliary housing. An inlet adaptor pipe with a seal is secured to the bottom of the pump with two bolts. A drive pulley is attached to the pump drive shaft with three bolts, and is belt driven at a ratio of 1.35 crankshaft revolutions to 1 of the drive pulley. A coupling on the rear of the PAS pump rotates the water pump impeller located in the auxiliary housing. Fluid is supplied to the PAS pump inlet from the reservoir through a flexible hose at low (suction) pressure. Fluid at high pressure from the PAS pump outlet is supplied to the rotary control valve on the steering box.

The PAS pump is a roller vane type and has an internal pressure regulator and flow control valve. The roller vanes can move in slots in the pumps rotor and are moved outwards by centrifugal force as the pump rotates. The pump rotor rotates in the pump housing, the internal shape of the housing forms a 'cam' shape. Due to the 'cam' shape the volume of the housing decreases between the inlet and outlet ports.

As the pump rotor rotates towards the pump inlet the volume between the roller vanes and the pump housing increases, this action causes a depression in the chamber between the pump roller vanes and the housing. As the rotation continues the chamber is opened to the pump inlet, and the depression in the chamber causes fluid to be drawn in. The roller vanes continue past the inlet port, closing off the inlet port and trapping the fluid in the chamber between the rollers and the pump housing.

The internal 'cam' shape of the pump housing causes the rollers to move closer together as the pump rotor rotates towards the outlet port. The reduced volume of the chamber between the roller vanes causes the fluid to become pressurised. When the chamber is opened to the outlet port of the pump the fluid escapes at high pressure. The roller vanes continue turning and go past the outlet port, closing off the chamber between the two roller vanes.

As rotation continues the inlet sequence begins again. The inlet and pressurisation/outlet sequences continue as the pump rotates, and is repeated between each two roller vanes. The pump is a positive displacement type and the potential pump output increases with engine (drive pulley) speed. The pressure relief and flow control valve regulates flow/pressure by diverting fluid back to the pump inlet through internal recirculation passages in the pump body.

Steering damper

The steering damper is located behind and just below the first cross member of the chassis. The ends of the steering damper have steel 'eyes' welded on, rubber bushes are installed in each 'eye'. The steering damper is attached between brackets on the chassis rail and the drag link. Each end of the steering damper is secured by a bolt and locknut. The hydraulic damper absorbs shocks in the steering, caused by road wheel deflections when operating on rough terrain.