Crown Automotive 4713066 Steering Control Valve for 87-95 Jeep Wrangler Yj with Power Steering, Steering Valve, Steering Control Valve Assembly

Recirculating ball power hydraulic steering control valve assembly

During operation of the engine, the fluid in power steering keeps flowing from the pump to the control valve, then back to the reservoir and both the pressure surfaces are exposed to the same system pressure. In the straight ahead position of the wheel, the fluid flows through the circuit. With the increase of steering effort, the valve shift also increases exerting proportional amount of pressure by directing fluid to one pressure surface and increasing the size of the return passage opening from the opposite pressure surface to the reservoir.

illustrates the principle of operation of the control valve in neutral and during a turn. The control valve is either located inside or is attached to the exterior of the integral type power steering gear. In the link type power steering gear, the valve may be built into the end of the power cylinder or be a separate unit.

The mechanical input force applied by the steering wheel on one hand and the mechanical-hydraulic resistive force of the steering linkage and tyres on the road on the other hand keeps the control valve balanced. As the steering wheel is turned, its mechanical input force moves the control valve towards the linkage resistive force. In this position, the control valve restricts the pressure area and outlet flow to cause pressure builds-up on the pressure surface in a direction that assists the steering wheel input force to move against the steering linkage resistance. Once the steering wheel reaches the desired position, it is held steady and the linkage finally cataches up, centering the control valve to terminate assist. When no effort is being applied to the system, the centering springs centre the spool position to balance pressure on both pressure surfaces, holding the steering linkage in place. With steering wheels in position, if the front tyres hit an object that tries to deflect them, the control valve adds pressure on the pressure surface that opposes the upsetting force, allowing the driver to maintain vehicle control.


The recirculating ball construction results in a friction free contact between thenut and the worm. When the steering wheel turns to the left, the ball bearings roll between the worm and the nut and work their way upward in the worm groove.

When the ball bearings reach the top of the nut, they enter two ball guides and are directed downward into the worm groove at a lower point. When the steering wheel is turned to the right, the ball bearings circulate in the opposite direction.

Recirculating ball and nut steering gears consist of several parts contained in a steering gear housing. The steering gear shaft is connected to the steering wheel either directly or through some type of flexible joint, and there is a worm gear at the end of the degrees to the worm gear, a ball nut riding on the worm gearand a gear on the cross shaft. It is mainly suitable for high and middle gradelight and heavy duty trucks, jeeps and buses; Suitable for use on GM, Chery, FAW, DFM and Volkswagen vehicles

The integral steering gear uses a recirculating ball gearbox along with a pitman arm to steer the vehicle to the left or right.
Common signs of wear include sloppy steering feel, and reduced steering responsiveness
An integral power steering gear having a primary or input shaft, a secondary shaft, a valve mechanism and a power piston, all mounted on a single housing in axial alignment with one another. The power piston is movable axially relative to the valve mechanism and has a hollow formed therein which receives at least a portion of the valve mechanism depending upon the relative axial position of the power piston and the valve mechanism. The valve mechanism is located in one of the two pressure chambers located on the opposite sides of the power piston.