The power rack and pinion steering system has a rotary control valve that directs hydraulic fluid coming from the hydraulic pump to one side or the other side of the rack piston. The integral rack piston is attached to the rack. The rack piston converts hydraulic pressure to a linear force that moves the rack left or right. That force is then transmitted through the tie rods to the steering knuckles, which turn the wheels.

If power rack and pinion steering is not available, manual rack and pinion control is used; however, with this system, more steering effort is required. The movement of the steering wheel is transferred to the pinion. The rotary movement of the pinion is then transferred through the pinion threads, which mesh with teeth on the rack, thereby causing the rack to move in a linear direction.

A vane-type of hydraulic pump provides hydraulic pressure for both steering systems.