Abstract: A steering gear housing assembly includes a central housing member. A tower housing member includes a first plurality of mutually interconnected tubular sections secured to the central housing member. The tower end cap housing member includes at least one tubular section coupled to the central housing member. A rack housing member includes a second plurality of interconnected tubular sections secured to the central housing member. A rack end housing member includes a third plurality of interconnected tubular sections secured to the central housing member. An end cap retention housing member includes at least one tubular section secured to the central housing member.

Abstract: An apparatus for urging components of power steering system into engagement includes a rack including gear teeth, a pinion including gear teeth engaged with the gear teeth of the rack, a yoke bearing contacting the rack, a spring for resiliently contacting the yoke and urging the rack into engagement with the pinion, a source of variable hydraulic pressure communicating with the yoke bearing and applying to the yoke bearing a force that urges the rack into engagement with the pinion, and a valve that opens a connection between the pressure source and the yoke bearing at a first speed in response to a first pressure magnitude at the pressure source and that closes said connection at a second speed slower than the first speed when pressure at the pressure source decreases relative to the first pressure magnitude.