The power steering gear has a recirculating ball system. The system acts as a rolling thread between the worm shaft and the rack position. The lower end of the worm shaft is supported by a preloaded thrust bearing and two conical thrust races. The upper end of the worm shaft is supported by an adjusted plug. When you turn the worm shaft right, the rack piston moves up in the gear. When you turn the worm shaft left, the rack piston moves down in gear. The rack piston teeth mesh with the sector. The sector is part of the pitman shaft. The pitman shaft turns the wheels through the steering linkage.

The control valve in the steering gear directs the power steering fluid to either side of the rack piston. The rack piston converts the hydraulic pressure into a mechanical force. You can control the vehicle manually if the steering system becomes damaged and loses hydraulic pressure.