STEERING GEAR BOX

Re-circulating ball gear mechanism

Ex. No: Page No:
Date:

DISMANTLING & ASSEMBLING OF A STEERING GEAR BOX

AIM:
To study, dismantle, inspect and assemble the given Steering Gear Box.

TOOLS REQUIRED:
1. Hammer 2. W.E spanners 3. Screw Driver 4. Puller 5.Ring
spanners 6. Wrench.

FUNCTION:
 The primary function of the steering system is to provide angular motion to front wheels
so that vehicle can negotiate a turn.
 It also provides directional stability to vehicle when the vehicle moves ahead in straight
line.
 Its main function is to provide the necessary leverage so that the driver is able to steer the
vehicle without fatigue and the vehicle can be maneuvered easily.

THEORY
Steering System:
The part of the steering system that is located at the lower end of the steering shaft which changes
the rotary movement of the steering wheel into the linear motion of the front wheels for steering
is called a Steering Gearbox. Front wheels can be turned to left and right by steering system so
that the vehicle can be steered. The steering wheel is placed in front of driver. It is mechanically
linked to the wheels to provide the steering control. Now-a-days, many vehicles are equipped with
power steering which uses pressure of a fluid to reduce steering effort. When driver turns the
steering wheel, a hydraulic mechanism comes into play to provide most of the effort needed to
turn the wheel.
Principle:
Steering system is used to allow a driver to guide the vehicle along the road and turn it to either
direction left or right. Steering arrangement is governed by steering geometry. Steering system
consists of front suspension forks, steering stem, steering lock and handle bar. Front suspension
forks carry the front wheel assembly. Steering stem is attached to the top of the front suspension
forks. Steering stem permits turning of front wheel and hence the vehicle in the desired direction.
Steering Gears.
The steering gearbox provides the driver with a leverage to enable him to exert a large force at the
road wheel with a minimum effort, and to control the direction of the wheel.
Turning effort on the steering wheel is multiplied through the steering gears to turn the front
wheels, even when the vehicle is at rest.
Therefore, the steering gearbox has two main functions.
It produces a gear reduction between the input steering wheel and the output drop arm (Pitman
arm) and it redirects the input to output axis of rotation through a right angle. The overall angular
gear ratio between the steering wheel and the road wheel varies from about 12:1 to 30:1, depending
on the load on the road wheels and the type of steering. The lower ratio is for the light small
vehicles and the higher ratio for heavy vehicles. As the ratio is lowered, a more number of turns
are required to move the wheels from lock to lock making it difficult for a rapid change in vehicle
direction.
Normally, the steering road wheel stub axles must be able to twist through a maximum steering
angle of 40 degrees either side of straight ahead position. Therefore, lock to lock drop arm angular
displacement amounts to 80 degrees.
Over the years, several types of steering gearbox have been used, these include:
(i) Screw and nut / Re-circulating ball.
(ii) Rack and pinion.
(iii) Cam and peg.
(iv) Worm and roller.
(v) Worm and sector.

Screw and nut steering gear mechanism / Re-circulating ball gear mechanism
The screw and nut type mechanism is the basic form for all the other types of steering gear box
mechanisms. This mechanism increases both the force and movement ratios. A small input effort
applied to the end of a perpendicular lever fixed to the screw can move a much larger load axially
along the screw, provided the nut is held against rotating. If the screw is prevented from moving
longitudinally, but revolves once within its nut, then the nut advances or retracts a distance equal
to the axial length of one complete spiral groove loop. This distance is termed as the thread pitch
or lead (p). The inclination of the spiral thread to the perpendicular of the screw axis is known as
the helix angle (a). As the helix angle decreases the nut displaces greater load in an axial direction.

REQUIREMENT:
The steering gears are required which are mounted on the lower end of the steering column and
are used to multiply driver turning force. The main aim of the gearbox is to sustain more loads
with least effort. It is required to convert the rotary motion of the steering wheel into the to-and-
fro motion of the link rod of the steering linkage.
DISMANTLING:
1. Any work on the steering column requires removal of steering wheel. The upper trim, often a
horn button, bar or ring must be removed to separate steering wheel.
2. Remove upper trim, it exposes the steering wheel nut.
3. Remove the nut.
4. Pull the steering wheel from a set of splines on the steering shaft using pullers
5. Removal of steering wheel exposes the turn signal switch mechanism.
6. Note the master spline position to reinstall the steering wheel.
7. Remove the bearing and steering stem.

INSPECTION:
 Examine the steering column and steering wheel to see if they are bent, cracked, or
damaged in any way.
 Look for leaking seals and gaskets. (3 oil seals and two gaskets).Always replace.
 Even if the seals and gaskets are not leaking, check the lube level in the steering gear
housing.
 Check the mounting brackets and bolts for secure mounting. Use a wrench to see if the
bolts are tight.
 Check for too much free play (slack) in the steering system.
 Remember that steering gears are designed to have very little free play when the wheels
are straight ahead.

ASSEMBLING:
Now reassemble all the parts of reverse order of dismantling.

RESULT:
Thus the given Steering Gear box is dismantled, inspected and assembled.