STEERING

 STEERING

FUNCTIONS

Convert rotary movement of the steering wheel into angular 

turn of the front wheel.

Reduce the driver’s effort.

It also absorbs a part of road shocks.

RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM

A rack-and-pinion gear set is enclosed in a metal tube, with each end of the rack protruding from the tube.

The Pinion gear is attached to the steering shaft. When 

steering wheel is turned, the gear spins, moving the rack. 

The tie rod at each end of the rack connects to the steering 

arm on the spindle.

 

PITMAN ARM STEERING SYSTEM

Pitman arm mechanisms have a steering 'box' where the shaft from the steering wheel comes in and a lever arm comes out - the pitman arm. This pitman arm is linked to the track rod or centre link, which is supported by idler arms. The tie rods connect to the track rod. There are a large number of variations of the actual mechanical linkage from direct-link where the pitman arm is connected directly to the track rod, to compound linkages where it is connected to one end of the steering system or the track rod via other rods.

STEERING RATIO

Steering ratio refers to the ratio between the turn of the steering wheel (in degrees) or handlebars and the turn of the wheels (in degrees).

A higher steering ratio means that you have to turn the 

steering wheel more, to get the wheels turning, but it will be 

easier to turn the steering wheel.

Most cars have a steering ratio of around 17:1, to have a 

light steering Larger and heavier vehicles will often have a 

higher steering ratio, which will make the steering wheel 

easier to turn.

 

STEERING GEOMETRY

You might be surprised to learn (or some of you may even already know!) that when you turn your car, your front wheels are not pointing in the same direction i.e., they do not turn by the equal angles.

POWER STEERING

Power steering helps drivers steer vehicles by augmenting steering effort of the steering wheel. Hydraulic or electric actuators add controlled energy to the steering mechanism, so the driver needs to provide only modest effort regardless of conditions.

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING

 It uses an electric motor to assist the driver  of a vehicle. Sensors detect the position and torque of the steering column, and a computer module applies assistive torque via the motor, which connects to either the steering gear or steering column.

HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING

It is a hydraulic system for reducing the steering effort on 

vehicles by using hydraulic pressure to assist in turning the 

wheels. The working liquid, also called "hydraulic fluid" or 

"oil", is the medium by which pressure is transmitted.