1954 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center

106
During normal driving, Cadillac Power Steering becomes
effective when a manual effort of about three pounds is
required on the steering wheel. The most effort a driver will
ever be required to exert never exceeds eight pounds.
Fifty pounds is often required with conventional steering.
The two drawings on the opposite page show what happens
when the Cadillac driver turns the steering wheel of his car.
When he turns it to the left, the hydraulic valve mechanism
is actuated to permit the hydraulic power pump to force oil
under pressure to the lower end of the power cylinder. This
is shown by the solid color in the drawing at the right. The
resultant upward movement of the piston transmits motion
through the power rack to rotate the steering sector pinion,
as indicated. Slight manual effort applied at the steering
wheel raises the worm nut at the base of the steering shaft.
This simultaneously transmits some motion to the sector
pinion. Thus, the driver retains the feel of the wheel while
all except the slightest effort is assumed by the power cylinder.
Turning the wheel to the right reverses the action.