The steering wheel is fixed to the steering column and transmits force to the rack and pinion transmission.
The steering rack is connected to the tie rod on each side by a ball joint. The tie rods transmit force through the steering tips and steering knuckles to the front wheels. The rack and pinion steering has a smooth stroke and no play when turning the steering wheel from lock to lock. The steering is virtually maintenance-free, but the condition of the ball joint protective boots should be checked regularly.
To facilitate turning the steering wheel, a hydraulic power steering is installed. It consists of an oil pump, an expansion tank and oil lines. The pump, driven by the engine, supplies oil from the tank under pressure through a poly V-belt to a valve located in the steering mechanism. The valve is mechanically connected to the steering shaft and supplies oil depending on the direction of rotation of the steering wheel to the corresponding side of the working cylinder. The oil presses on the piston of the toothed rack and due to this maintains the movement of the steering wheel. At the same time, the piston pushes oil from the other side of the working cylinder through the return line back to the expansion tank.
The driver's airbag is mounted in the center of the steering wheel. The driver's airbag is standard equipment on all models. The safety system is activated when the ignition is switched on and is activated by a deceleration sensor included in the control unit. If there is a fault in the airbag system, a warning lamp lights up in the instrument cluster.
When performing any work on a vehicle equipped with an airbag, or when moving or storing the airbag, the following precautions must be observed:
- do not disconnect the battery while the engine is running;
- do not disconnect the battery terminal when there are people in the vehicle;
- when performing any work on the security system or performing electric welding on the vehicle, deactivate the security system;
- if the security system warning light is on, you must contact a service station immediately;
- the airbag must be transported separately, with the bag facing upwards;
- do not place your hands on the airbag during transportation;
- do not throw or disassemble the airbag;
- prevent solvents or cleaning agents from coming into contact with the airbag;
- do not expose the airbag to temperatures above 80°C;
- do not allow the airbag to come into contact with an open flame;
- do not install an airbag on a vehicle that is defective or damaged.
If there are side airbags installed in the backs of the front seats, use only the covers recommended for the front seats.
It is strictly forbidden to carry out welding and straightening work on the steering system parts. New self-locking nuts must be used during installation.
Before removing the airbag, do the following:
- turn off the ignition and remove the ground wire from the battery. When removing the ground wire, there should be no people in the car;
- insulate the wire connected to the negative terminal of the battery to avoid accidental connection of the wire;
- disconnect the single-pin electrical connector for supplying power to the airbag system;
- set the front wheels to move straight ahead.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in failure of the airbag system.
[The original material is located on the website «audimanual.ru»]