The steering wheel is mounted on the steering column and transmits power to the rack and pinion through the shaft.
The steering mechanism is attached to the subframe with two studs. The gear rack of the steering mechanism is connected on both sides to the tie rod with ball joints.
The rack and pinion steering is easy to move and has no play when turning the steering wheel from lock to lock.
The steering mechanism is practically maintenance free, but the condition of the protective covers of the ball joints of the tie rods should be checked regularly.
Peugeot 605 cars are equipped with power steering (see illustration 12.0).
12.0 Power steering components
1 - reservoir for hydraulic fluid
2 - power steering pump
3 - hydraulic fluid cooling radiator
4 - gear rack of the steering mechanism
5 - sensor
6 - speedometer sensor
7 - hydraulic booster control unit
8 - discharge valve
The power steering consists of a pump, expansion tank and hydraulic fluid circulation hoses. The pump is driven by the engine through the accessory drive belt. The pump draws hydraulic fluid from the expansion tank and forces it to a valve stem that directs the hydraulic fluid to the appropriate part of the slave cylinder. There, the fluid presses on the rack piston and thereby supports the driver's effort applied to the steering wheel.
The driver's airbag can be mounted on the steering wheel. The airbag is a folded bag that instantly fills with air in a frontal collision, thereby protecting the driver's torso and head from hitting the steering wheel.