STEERING SYSTEMS

STEERING SYSTEMS

It is a combination of different parts

that:-
• Provide precise control of the wheel
direction
• Maintain correct steering effort
• Transmit road feel to the driver’s
hands
• Absorb most of the road shock going
to the steering wheel
• Allow for suspension action
STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY
• Consists of the steering wheel,
steering shaft, column, ignition key
mechanism, and, sometimes, a
flexible coupling and universal joint
• Bolts to the underside of the dash
• Sticks through the firewall and
fastens to the steering gear
Steering Column
Components
 Locking Steering Wheel
• When the ignition is off, the steering
wheel cannot be turned
• A rack and sector slides a steel pin
into mesh with a slotted disc that is
splined to the steering shaft
• The pin locks the steering shaft to
the column, preventing the steering
wheel from being turned
Locking Steering Wheel
 BASIC STEERING SYSTEMS
• Two basic kinds of steering systems
are in use today depend on the type of
gear used:
– linkage (worm gear) steering systems
– rack-and-pinion steering systems
• Each may be operated manually or
with power assist
 Basic linkage
steering

Basic rack-and-
pinion steering
 STEERING GEAR
• Two basic types
of gear
mechanisms are
found in steering
gearboxes:
– worm gears
– rack-and-pinion
gears
Steering
Gears

Rack-and-pinion
gear

Worm steering
gear
 Recirculating-Ball on a Gearbox
• Normally used
in a linkage
steering
system
• Small steel
balls circulate
between the
gear members
to reduce
friction
 Gearbox Components
• Worm shaft
– the input gear connected to the steering shaft
• Sector shaft
– the output gear from the steering gearbox
• Ball guides
– route extra balls in and out from between the
worm and ball nut
• Adjusting nut
– used to set worm shaft bearing preload
• Adjusting screw
– used to set the sector shaft clearance
• Ball nut
– rides on the ball bearings and the worm gear
 Gearbox Ratio
• Comparison between steering
wheel rotation and sector shaft
rotation
• Ratios range from 15:1 to 24:1
 STEERING LINKAGEs
• Series of arms, rods, and ball sockets that connect
the steering gearbox to the steering knuckles
• Commonly called a parallelogram steering linkage
 Components
• Pitman arm
– transfers gearbox motion to the steering linkage
• Idler arm
– supports the end of the center link on the
passenger side
• Tie-rod assemblies
– fasten the center link to the steering knuckles
– ball sockets are used on both ends
– a toe adjustment sleeve allows length change
for alignment
• Center link (relay rod)
– a steel bar that connects the right and left sides
of the steering linkage
 Ball Sockets
• Provide for motion
in all directions
between two
connected parts
• they have a
grease fitting,
allowing
lubrication
• Used in between
pitman arms, idler
arms, and tie rods
Rack-and-Pinion Steering system
•Consists of a pinion shaft, rack, thrust
spring, bearings, seals, and a gear housing
•Bolts to the frame or unibody structure
Rubber bushing mounts help absorb road
shock
 Operation
• When the pinion shaft turns, the
pinion gear acts on the rack gear
• The rack slides sideways, moving
the tie-rods and the front wheels
 Power Steering Systems
• Most systems use an engine-driven
pump and a hydraulic system to
assist steering action
• An electric motor in the rack may
be used to provide assist
 Types of Power Steering
system

• There are three main types of

power steering systems:
– integral-piston linkage system
– rack-and-pinion system
– external cylinder power steering
system
Integral-Piston Linkage
Rack-and-Pinion
External Cylinder
 Power Steering Pump
• Engine-driven pump that produces
the hydraulic pressure for steering
system operation
• Driven by a belt or directly off the
back of the camshaft
• The power steering fluid reservoir
may be formed as part of the body
or as a separate container
Pump
Types
 FOUR-WHEEL STEERING
SYSTEM
In a four-wheel
steering system,
all four wheels
change direction
to improve
handling,
stability, feel,
and
maneuverability
 Four-Wheel Steering

In a sharp turn, the wheels

In a gentle turn, the
wheels pivot
pivot back and then turn
in the same direction in the opposite direction