Steering Systems

Topics covered in this presentation: Basic Steering Systems Linkage Steering Rack-and-Pinion Steering Power Steering

The Steering System

When the driver turns the steering wheel, the front and sometimes the rear wheels move and the car turns the corner! From the drivers point of view it is that simple, but many more things have to be taken into consideration. For example The effect of road surface irregularities Tyre behaviour under cornering stress An efficient mechanical system to give easy turning of the steering wheel Driver fell must be maintained No (or very little) difference between empty and fully loaded The effect of accelerating or braking when the wheels are turned The front wheels should have a natural tendency to return to the straight ahead position

The Steering System

Imagine a car driving round a roundabout, the outer wheel has to travel a greater distance than the inner, this is why a differential is required in the transmission, it will be also noticed, that for the steered wheels to maintain true running or rolling motion i.e. the wheels must always be turning exactly end over end, much like a coin rolling across the desk, if this was not the case, there would be a scrubbing action ( the tyres would be dragged across the road surface resulting in considerable wear), the inner wheel has to turn through a sharper corner than the outer. This requirement is met by the steering system through the use of special linkage between the steered wheels, so each wheel is turned a slightly different amount, so true rolling motion is maintained. This is known as the Ackerman Principle and is named after the person who invented it. The slight change in the angles between the steered wheels is often referred to as toe out on turns

Terminology

The Steering Wheel The Bit the driver holds on to! It also incorporates the Air Bag. Steering Column The shaft connecting the steering wheel to the steering box or steering rack. Steering Rack A combination of a small gear and a toothed rack. This changes the rotation of the steering wheel into a back and forth movement of the rack which in turn moves the road wheels. Steering Box This does a similar job to the rack but needs extra linkages and rods to connect it to the road wheels. Mostly used on old cars, but still is in use on larger vehicles. Track rod/Tie rod A rod to connect the left and right steered wheels. The steering rack is also the track rod. Track rod end A ball joint to allow steering and suspension movement. Ball joint/Swivel joint Part of the suspension, but these are joints which allow the steered wheels to left and right. PAS Power assisted steering. An engine driven pump or electric motor, provides extra force to help the driver turn the steering. Tracking toe in or toe out setting for the steered wheels.

Steering assembly at rest, the longer bar represents the front suspension axle, the shorter bar is the steering linkage/mechanism. Ackermann stated the principle that when a vehicle travels in a curved path, its wheels should describe circles around the same centre. A wheel which follows a markedly different path will slide to some extent, this would cause excessive tyre wear. The steering mechanism is designed to insure that when the vehicle turns left or right, the inner wheel is turned through a larger angle to prevent tyre wear

Axle Steering

Ackerman Principle

Steering assembly in operation, as the steering linkage is shorter than the axle, the inner wheel is turned through a larger angle.

Turning Radius (Ackerman Principle)

When turning, the inner wheels must turn on a tighter radius than the outer, this helps avoid unnecessary tyre wear. The steering system is designed to compensate for the different radiuses.

Toe-out is increased on turns. Small adjustments can be made, but normally any error will result in worn or damaged components being replaced.

Front Wheel Tracking

Tracking A steering adjustment which is used to insure that the steered wheels are pointing straight ahead when the vehicle is moving Toe-in - The wheels point inward, toward each other. This setting is critical for tyre wear. A small amount of Toe-in helps compensate for the effect of rear-wheel drive. Toe-out - The wheels point away from each other. A small amount of Toe-out is normal on front-wheel drive vehicles. Zero toe effect is required when the vehicle is moving. This helps reduce tyre wear (scuffing or feathering).

Steering Shafts and Columns

Nearly all steering systems use a steering column or shaft to link the driver (steering wheel) to the steering rack or gear/box. Flexible coupling isolates steering wheel from road shocks.
Steering wheel

Universal joints allow steering shaft angles to change.

Most steering columns are designed with a collapsible section that helps prevent forces generated in a collision being transferred to the driver.
Collapsible section

Flexible coupling Universal joints Master spline location

Bottom of steering column normally has a master spline where it mounts onto the steering rack-and-pinion or steering gear/box.

Steering rack or gear/box

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Basic Steering Systems

Two main types of steering: Linkage or Conventional type (also known as Parallelogram). Rack-and-pinion type.
Steering knuckles Track rods

Drop arm
Steering gear/box Centre link

Idler arm

Linkage type uses a worm gear inside the steering gear/box, this operates the drop arm, then couples to a centre link, idler arm, track rods and the steering knuckles. Rack-and-pinion type uses track Track rods rods to couple the rack to the steering knuckles.

Rack-and-pinion

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Rack-and-Pinion Type Steering System

Rack-and-pinion steering is more precise and compact.

Uses less component parts.

Steering column

Steering rack Boot Ball joint

Steering knuckle Track rod

More common on modern vehicles.

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Rack-and-Pinion Steering Principle

Pinion gear is turned by steering shaft.

Pinion meshes with rack to move it sideways.

Thrust spring holds rack against pinion to prevent backlash.

Pinion shaft is normally shimmed to minimize end float (up or down movement) also reducing backlash.
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Ball Joints
Ball joints are common on most steering systems and provide a controllable link to the other steering components. Ball joints allow linkage components to swivel freely. Suspension (vertical) and steering (horizontal) movements. Nearly all ball joints have some form of adjustment. Most steering rack ends have adjustable ball joints and some Shock damper assembly incorporate shock dampers.
Adjusting thread Ball socket Boot Track rod Adjusting end Inner track lock nut rod

Ball joint

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Linkage Type Steering System

Idler arm Idler arm bracket Drop arm (connected to steering gear/box)

Steering damper

Track rod assembly

Centre link

Linkage type steering has many component parts and is normally found on older vehicles.

Track rod assembly

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Steering Gear/box Principles

Most linkage type steering systems require some form of mechanical advantage, this is provided mainly by the gear ratio in the steering gear/box. Three main types of steering gear/box:

Worm Gear Re-circulating Ball Worm and roller (older Vehicles)

Most common are Worm Gear and Re-circulating Ball. Drop arm couples to links. Worm drive on steering shaft.

Worm gear type

Re-circulating ball type

Re-circulating ball mechanism.

Small number of teeth needed.
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