STEERING BOX

CALCULATIONS

PREPARED AND COMPILED BY: FEGSON JOHN PHABULI

All rights reserved
STEERING BOX CALCULATIONS
The purpose of the steering box is to provide a gear reduction between the steering wheel and the
front steered wheels, and so enable the driver to steer the vehicle with a relatively small effort
applied to the steering wheel. The gear ratio is generally between 8 and 24 to 1, the actual value
however is dependent upon the type and mass of the vehicle.
Heavy vehicles usually require a high gear ratio to enable the driver to steer the vehicle with
comparative ease, while light cars may require only three-quarter to one and half turns of the
steering wheel to move the front steered wheels from the straight ahead position to the full lock
position.

GEAR RATIO (OR MOVEMENT RATIO)

If the number of turns of the steering wheel required to move the drop arm from the straight
ahead position to the position of full lock are known, then the gear ratio (or movement ratio) of
the steering box can be calculated as follows:

360 x N0.of turns of steering wheel

Gear ratio of steering box =
No.of degrees turned by drop arm

If the steering gear is of the worm and wheel type, then the gear ratio of the steering box is
calculated as follows:
360 x N0.of teeth on worm wheel
Gear ratio of steering box =
No.of starts on worm

EXAMPLE
1
Calculate the gear ratio of a steering box which require 14 turns of the steering wheel to move
the drop arm through 300 from its central position to full lock in one direction.

Solution
360 x N0.of turns of steering wheel
Gear ratio of steering box =
No.of degrees turned by drop arm

360 x 1.25
=
30

= 15 to 1
STEERING BOX TORQUE CALCULATIONS

The factors which govern the torque transmitted to the drop arm are as follows:
(a) The diameter of the steering wheel, which multiplies the torque for a given force applied
to the steering by the driver.
(b) The gearing in the steering box, which multiplies the torque transmitted through the
steering wheel by the driver.
(c) The torque is reduced by the inefficiency of the gearing because of friction.

In the example which follow it is assumed that the driver uses both hands on the steering wheel
and exerts an equal force with each hand.
The formula for calculating the torque in the drop-arm shaft is as follows:

T = Fa x d x r x e
Where, T = torque, in Nm
Fa = force exerted by each hand on the steering wheel, in N
d = diameter of steering wheel, in metres
r = gear ratio of the steering box
e = efficiency of gearing, per cent

it should be noted that the steering-wheel torque is the force of one hand applied by the diameter
𝐹𝑎 𝑑 𝐹𝑎 𝑑
of the steering wheel, Fa d if preferred, it can be written as ( )+( ) i.e., (force x radius) +
2 2
(force x radius)

EXAMPLE
In a certain steering box the gear ratio is 15 to 1. Assuming an efficiency of 84 per cent,
determine the torque on the drop-arm shaft when the driver applies a force of 22 N with each
hand on the steering wheel of 0.46 m diameter.

Solution

Fa = 22 N
d = 0.46 metres
r = 15
e = 84 per cent

T = Fa x d x r x e
= 22 x 0.46 x 15 x 0.84
= 127.5 Nm