Table of contents: Hydraulic steering system… ↓ Steering column ↓ Before carrying out work with… ↓ General safety precautions ↓
Hydraulic steering system components. 4-cylinder engine and 6-cylinder diesel engine
- 1 - Power steering
- 2 — High pressure hydraulic line
- 3 - Drain hose
- 4 - Cover with oil level indicator
- 5 - Bolt, 5 Nm
- 6 - Oil reservoir
- 7 - Rubber support
- 8 — Clamp
- 9 — Return hose
- 10 - Clamp, be sure to replace
- 11 - Bolt, 10 Nm
- 12 — Cooling pipe
- 13 — Elastic clamp
- 14 — Clamp*
- 15 — Suction hose
- 16 — Clamp*
- 17 — Vane pump for 6-cylinder diesel engine
- 18 — Sealing ring*
- 19 — Sealing ring*
- 20 - Hollow screw, 47 Nm
- 21 — Vane pump for 4-cylinder engine
- 22 — Sealing ring*
- 23 — Sealing ring*
- 24 - Hollow screw, 47 Nm
- 25 - Suction hose
- 26 — Clamp
*) Be sure to replace
Steering column
The steering consists of a steering wheel, a steering column, a rack-and-pinion steering gear, and steering rods. The steering column transmits the steering wheel movements to the steering gear. The rack-and-pinion steering gear moves to the right or left in accordance with the steering wheel rotation. The steering rods transmit the steering forces to the front wheels via the joints and the steering knuckle.
The rack and pinion steering gear is backlash-free and maintenance-free. Maintenance only requires checking the protective boots and dust boots of the steering rod ends.
The car's steering has a hydraulic booster, which reduces the force applied to the steering wheel. The hydraulic booster contains a hydraulic pump and a reservoir of working fluid. The hydraulic pump sucks fluid from the reservoir and delivers it under high pressure to the control valve in the steering mechanism. The control valve has a mechanical connection with the steering spindle and directs the fluid, depending on the turn of the steering wheel, to the corresponding cavity of the working cylinder in the steering mechanism housing. Here the fluid acts on the piston and, thus, maintains the control process. At the same time, the piston squeezes the fluid from the opposite cavity of the working cylinder through the return pipeline into the fluid reservoir.
Welding and straightening work on steering components is not permitted. Self-locking bolts and nuts, as well as bolts and nuts that are corroded, must be replaced with new ones.
Caution: The tightening torques for threaded connections must be maintained.
The driver's airbag is located in the steering wheel. The airbag is a collapsible air bag that fills with air during a frontal collision of the vehicle, thus protecting the driver's upper body and head. In the event of a frontal collision of sufficient force, the control unit sends a signal to the airbag fuse. The explosion produces gas that inflates the airbag for a few milliseconds. This time is enough to dampen the forward movement of the driver's upper body. Then, within a few seconds, the airbag collapses again, as the gases escape from the airbag through the existing openings.
The airbag consists of a collision sensor, a fuse, an airbag control unit, and the airbag itself. The signal to inflate the airbag is generated by the control unit.
The vehicle is equipped with a driver and front passenger airbag, as well as side airbags, head airbags and seat belt tensioners. The locations of the airbags are usually marked with inscriptions "SRS Airbag".
It is not allowed to place a child seat on the front passenger seat that is oriented against the movement of the car, except for a special child seat in combination with an automatic child seat recognition device.
Caution: For safety reasons, do not carry out any work on parts belonging to the airbag and seat belt tensioner system.
Before carrying out work with security systems
1. Disconnect the negative (-) battery cable with the ignition off. The cabin air filter box must be removed first.
Caution: Before disconnecting the cable, find out the radio's security code, if any, refer to Section Replacing the battery.
2. Insulate the negative (-) battery terminal to prevent accidental contact.
3. Set the wheels straight and the steering wheel to the center position.
4. Before removing (touching) the airbag unit, remove the electrostatic charge. To do this, briefly touch the door lock or the body.
5. When connecting the battery, there should be no people in the vehicle.
General safety precautions
Never install airbag components from another vehicle or another steering wheel. When replacing, install only new parts.
Even after a minor accident that did not result in the airbag deploying, have the airbag system and belt tensioner checked at a service station.
If the airbag in the steering wheel is deployed, be sure to replace the steering wheel; if the side airbag is deployed, replace the cover in the door trim; if the front passenger airbag is deployed, replace the instrument panel.
The airbag control unit must be replaced after it has been triggered three times.
The airbag may only be checked at a service station. Under no circumstances should a test lamp, voltmeter or ohmmeter be used to check the airbag.
Airbag elements that have fallen from a height of more than 0.5 m must be replaced.
Protect airbag components from heat or fire. Do not expose airbag components to temperatures above +100°C.
Protect the airbag from contact with water, grease or oil. If water, grease or oil comes into contact with the airbag, wipe it off immediately.
After removing the airbag, store it with the soft side facing up. When storing it the other way around, there is a risk of it being ejected upwards if the gas generator is accidentally ignited. This creates a risk of injury.
If there is a break in work, the airbag must not be left unattended.
It is not allowed to disassemble the airbag unit. If there is a malfunction, it will be replaced as a whole. Since the airbag contains an explosive substance, it must be stored securely under supervision.
Before scrapping the vehicle, the airbag components must be disposed of.
When carrying out any work on a vehicle using electric welding, it is necessary to first disconnect the airbag control unit connector with the battery disconnected.