Steering Gear: Description and Operation

Fig. 1 Rack & pinion steering gear:

The steering gear assembly used on Chrysler Corp. front wheel drive trucks and vans and Dodge Dakota, consists of a housing which contains a toothed rack, a pinion, rack slipper and rack slipper spring. The steering gear rack and pinion assembly converts rotational movement of the pinion assembly into transverse movement of the rack. Tie rods and tie rod ends transmit this movement to the steering arms and wheels while accommodating suspension movement at the same time. The tie rods are coupled to the ends of the rack. This connection is protected by a bellows type oil seal which retains steering gear lubricant. The pinion runs on straddle mounted ball bearings. The lower bearing is incorporated in the pinion housing. The upper bearing is swagged to the pinion shaft. Lock to lock stops are built into the steering gear. The 1991-92 Dakota rack and pinion gears have a larger diameter stud than previous years, so these are not interchangeable.