Automotive

Steering Systems

Presented by:
Er. Kshitiz Ghimire
What is a steering system?

A steering system converts the

circular motion of the steering
wheel to linear motion, which is
applied to the wheels of the car
through tie rods and a steering
knuckle.
Types of Steering System

 Manual steering system – relies

solely on the driver to provide
steering force
 Power assist – (power steering) –
uses hydraulic or electric power
to help the driver apply steering
force
Steering Systems

Both manual and power steering

systems have common input
components.
 Steering wheel
 Steering column
 Steering shaft
Steering Column and Wheel
Steering Shaft
 Steering Shaft to Gear
The steering shaft
connects to the
steering gear through
one or more:
 Universal joints
 Flexible steering
coupler
Steering Gear
Rack and Pinion Steering
Gear
Steering Linkage
 Connects the linear motion of the steering gear to the
steering arms.
 Parallelogram type linkage (typical) –
 Pitman arm
 Idler arm
 Center link
 Inner tie rod
 Outer tie rod
 Tie rod adjustment sleeve
Parallelogram Type Linkage
Parallelogram Type Linkage
“Parallelogram” refers to the
shape that the linkage makes
on a turn.
Parallelogram Type Linkage
Parallelogram Type Linkage
Idler Arm Pitman Arm
Steering Linkage

Rack and Pinion linkage

Inner tie rod
Outer tie rod
Ball Sockets

 Allow suspension travel without

binding
 Tie rods – located at the steering
knuckle.
Also at the center link on
parallelogram type.
 Ball joints – located at the top and
bottom of the knuckle. Allows for
movement between the knuckle and
control arm(s).
Steering Knuckle
Tie Rod
Ball Joints
Recirculating-Ball Steering
Gear
Uses a series of recirculating balls
on a worm shaft to transfer
steering-wheel movement to tire
and wheel movement.
Recirculating-Ball Steering
Gear
 Primarily used on trucks, vans
and larger vehicles.
 Also used on most passenger
vehicles prior to 1980.
 Used in conjunction with a
parallelogram-type linkage
system.
Recirculating-Ball Steering Gear
Recirculating-Ball Steering
Gear
 The steel balls within the gear box housing constantly
recirculate within the guide paths.
 They move from one end of the ball nut through return
guides to reenter the ball nut at the opposite end.
 The balls provide low-friction contact points between
the worm gear and the internal grooves of the ball nut.
Recirculating-Ball Steering Gear
Recirculating-Ball Steering
Gear
The sector shaft (output
shaft) of the
recirculating-ball
steering box uses a
pitman arm for an
output device.
Recirculating-Ball Steering
Gear
 Thepitman arm connects to a
center link (also called a drag link)
 Recirculating-Ball Steering
Gear

 The other
end of the
center link
is attached
to a idler
arm
 Recirculating-Ball Steering Gear

 The pitman
arm and idler
arm act as
the center
links pivot
points.
 Rack and Pinion Systems

 Most passenger vehicles today use rack and pinion

steering systems.
 Generally contained in one complete housing.
 The steering shaft connects to a pinion shaft through a
universal joint or coupler.
 The pinion gear meshes with a a rack of gear teeth.
Rack and Pinion Systems
Advantages of Rack and
Pinion Systems
 Fewer parts
 Lighter
 Modular
 Saves space
 Generally not as strong as a recirculating-ball type
system
 Suitable for today’s lighter cars.
 Center-Link Type Rack and
Pinion
•Used when the rack is mounted on the
firewall
Macpherson Strut
Double Wishbon Suspension
What is a camber?
 Camber is the angle of the wheel relative to the vertical
of the vehicle, and depending on the tilt, is either
considered positive camber or negative camber.
 When the top of the tires tilt away from the center of
the vehicle you have positive camber.
 When the top of the tires are tilted inward you have
negative camber.
 Positive Camber - When your wheels are tilted
outward, the vehicle has improved stability.
 Negative Camber - High performance vehicles that
require better cornering tend to use negative camber,
because it gives the driver more control in this regard.
What is caster?

 Caster is the angle that identifies the forward or

backward slope of a line that is drawn through the
upper and lower steering pivot points
What is a Toe?

 Toe is a measurement that determines how much the

front and/or rear wheels are turned in or out from a
straight-ahead position.

 Toe is expressed in degrees or fractions of an inch.

Wheel Alignment and
balancing
 Wheel alignment (also known as tire alignment) refers
to an adjustment of a car's suspension — the system that
connects a vehicle to its wheels. It's not an adjustment
of the tires or wheels themselves.
 Alignment keeps your car from veering to the right or
left. It also can improve the handling of your vehicle
and stop unusual on-the-road vibrations.
 Tire balancing (also known as wheel balancing) corrects
uneven distribution of weight in the wheels.
 Imbalanced wheels can lead to vibration, excessive tire
wear, damage to the suspension, and other problems.
The car may need wheel alignment, if you notice
any of the following:
The car is pulling to one side of the road.
The tire treads are wearing out prematurely or
unevenly.
The tires are squealing.
The steering wheel tilts off-center when you're
driving.
The steering wheel vibrates when accelerating.
The car may need wheel balancing, if you notice
any of the following:
Uneven tire wear and vibration in your steering
wheel, floorboard, or seat can signal it's time for
tire balancing.
You may also want to have your tires balanced
during a tire rotation, after a flat tire repair, or
as part of your scheduled maintenance.
 Wheel Balance vs. Alignment
Service Definition Signs It's Time Benefits
Proper
A tire balance Uneven tire
balancing can
corrects the wear and
lead to a
weight vibration in
smoother ride,
Wheel Balance imbalance on your steering
less tire wear,
your tire and wheel,
and reduced
wheel floorboard, or
strain on the
assemblies. seat.
drivetrain.

Vehicle pulls
An alignment
to one side,
corrects the Proper
rapid tire
angles of the alignment
wear,
tires so that ensures a
Wheel squealing
they come into smoother ride
Alignment tires, or
contact with for you and a
crooked
the road in longer life for
steering wheel
just the right your tires.
when driving
way.
straight.
Any Queries?