MODULE - III

STEERING SYSTEMS
FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY

Subjected to bending stress due to vehicle weight and road roughness, which is
accounted by FOS.
It can be calculated as w * l Nm -------------- (1)
Subjected to torsion due to braking of wheels and resistance to motion.
It can be calculated as μ*W*r Nm -------------- (2)
where μ = Coefficient of adhesion
Bending moment (M/I = fb/y) predominates in the portion between spring pads
whereas Torsion (T/Ip= fs/y) predominates at the steering head i.e., from wheels to
spring. Therefore front axle is made as I- section in central portion and circular, oval
or elliptical at the ends.
TYPES OF FRONT AXLE

 Live axle
It is used in front wheel drive system or four wheel drive system. This type of axle
receives power from the engine. It contains a Differential Mechanism. Constant
Velocity (CV) joints turn the stub axles without affecting the power transmission
to half shafts through varied angles. It permits easier steering.

 Dead axle
It is used in front engine rear drive system or rear engine rear drive system. This
type of axle does not receive power from engine thus called as dead axle. It must
be strong to transmit the front weight of the vehicle to the wheels.
TYPES OF FRONT AXLE
1. Straight type front axle
2. Single drop front axle
3. Double drop front axle

Types of Stub axle

1. Elliot
2. Reversed Elliot
3. Lemoine
4. Reversed Lemoine
AXLE CONSTRUCTION
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
▪ Positioning of steered wheels to achieve –

 Directional stability during straight ahead position

 Perfect rolling condition under steering
 Recovery after completing a turn
 Steering easiness
 Minimum tire wear
 Good riding qualities of the vehicle
FACTORS OF WHEEL ALIGNMENT

▪ Pertaining to wheels
 Balance of Wheels
 Inflation of Tyres
 Brake Adjustments
▪ Steering Geometry
 Camber
 Castor
 King Pin Inclination
 Toe-In
 Toe- out
▪ Steering Linkage
▪ Suspension System
WHEEL ALIGNMENT PARAMETERS (OR)
STEERING GEOMETRY
1. CAMBER
▪ Definition
▪ Positive & Negative Camber
▪ Recommended Value
▪ Equal on both sides.
▪ Consequence of not providin g
correct camber

2. KING PIN INCLINATION

▪ Definition

Recommended value

Combine angle
If not equal, what will happen
▪ Consequence of KPI
STEERING GEOMETRY – CONTD..
3. CASTOR
▪ Definition

▪ Positive / Negative Castor

▪ If not equal, what will happen

4. TOE- IN or TOE - OUT

▪ Definition

▪ Recommended value

▪ Consequences
STEERING GEOMETRY – CONTD..
5. Thrust angle

▪ Definition
▪ Recommended value
CENTRE POINT STEERING
Scrub Radius
 Positive
 Negative
 Zero
CORRECT STEERING
▪ The perfect steering is achieved when all the 4 wheels are rolling under

all conditions, this is satisfied if all the four wheels rotate about the same
instantaneous centre which lies on the axis of the back wheels.

▪ The inside wheel is required to turn a greater angle than outside wheel.

▪ Greater the turning angle, smaller the turning radius but this is limited to

44° on either side, this is called lock.

a – wheel track
b – wheel base
c – distance between
kingpins
Φ – outside lock angle
Θ – inside lock angle
TURNING CIRCLE RADII FOR DIFFERENT WHEELS
STEERING MECHANISMS

To achieve conditions of correct steering :

1. Ackermann and
2. Davis steering mechanisms have been devised

Out of these Ackermann is universally used because of its simplicity.

ACKERMANN STEERING MECHANISM
The Ackerman steering gear consists of turning pairs rather than sliding
pairs. The whole of the mechanism is placed on the back of the front wheels.
In Ackerman steering gear, the mechanism ABCD is a four bar crank chain.
The shorter links BC and AD are equally inclined to the longitudinal axis of
the vehicle.

The correct steering obtained in the following three positions:

▪ When the vehicle moves along a straight path, the longer links AB and CD
are parallel and the shorter links AD and BC are equally inclined to the
longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
▪ When the vehicle is moving to the left, the lines of the front wheel axle
intersect on the back wheel axle at I for correct steering.
ACKERMANN STEERING MECHANISM – CONTD..
▪ Let r = length of the links AC and BD Then referring to the fig. and neglecting obliquity
of the track rod in the turned position, the movements of C and D in the horizontal
direction may be taken the same (x). Then

▪ The mechanism gives only 3 positions correct steering; when 𝜭=0, and the other two
each corresponding to turn left and right (at a fixed turning angle).
▪ However for other angles it gives a close approximation to ideal condition.
▪ This issue is overcome by improvement in tyres and suspension.
DAVIS STEERING MECHANISM

(a) Vehicle on Straight Path (b) Vehicle on taking a turn

NUMERICAL PROBLEMS
1. The wheel base of a car is 2.7 m and pivot centres are at 1 m apart. The wheel
track of the car is 1.2 m. Calculate the correct angle of outside lock angle and
turning circle radius of the outer front wheel and inner rear wheel, when the
angle of inside lock is 40⁰
(Ans: Φ = 32.6⁰; ROF = 5.11 m ; RIR = 3.12 m )

2. A car has pivot pins 1.1 m apart, the length of each track arm is 0.15 m and the
track rod behind the axle is 1 m long. Determine the wheelbase for true rolling
of all wheels when the inner wheel stub axle is at 55° to the centre line of the
car and also calculate turning circle radius of outer front wheel if the track is 1.5
m.
(Wheel base b = 2.39 m)
STEERING SYSTEM

―Definition

―Importance

―Functional Requirements

―Design Requirements

— Steering System for

(a) Rigid axle suspension

(b) Independent suspension

STEERING LINKAGE
(a) Rigid axle suspension
3D REPRESENTATION OF STEERING LINKAGE
FOR RIGID AXLE SUSPENSION
Steering Linkage – Contd..
(b) Independent suspension
STEERING GEARBOX
Functional Requirements
▪ Converts rotary movement of steering wheel into reciprocating (to and fro)
movement of link rod.

▪ Provides leverage so that the driver is able to steer the vehicle without fatigue.

Types of steering gearbox

1. Worm & Worm Wheel type

2. Cam and roller type

3. Worm and nut type

4. Recirculating ball type

5. Rack and pinion type

STEERING GEARBOX – CONTD..
1. Worm & Worm Wheel type
STEERING GEARBOX – CONTD..
2. Cam and roller type
STEERING GEARBOX – CONTD..
3. Worm and nut type
STEERING GEARBOX – CONTD..
4. Recirculating ball type
STEERING GEARBOX – CONTD..

5. Rack and pinion type

CLASSIFICATION OF STEERING SYSTEMS

European Directive 70/311/EEC distinguishes three types of steering

system for front wheels

▪ Muscular Energy Steering Systems : In which steering force is

produced exclusively by driver.

▪ Power Steering Systems : In which the steering force is produced

exclusively by an energy source in the vehicle.

▪ Power Assisted Steering Systems : In which, the steering force is

produced by the muscular energy of the driver and by an energy
source. Used for high speed vehicles.
POWER ASSISTED STEERING
▪ Most systems use an engine-driven pump and a hydraulic system to

assist steering action

▪ An electric motor in the rack may be used to provide assist

POWER ASSISTED STEERING - PRINCIPLE

 Pressure from the oil pump is used to operate a piston-and cylinder assembly
 When the control valve routes oil pressure into one end of the piston, it slides
in its cylinder
 Piston movement helps move the steering system
TYPES OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING

There are two main types of power steering systems:

• Integral type

• Non integral or linkage type

In the former type, the power steering assembly being the part of
steering gear whereas in the latter type, it is being the part of steering
linkage. The integral type is the most common.
INTEGRAL TYPE POWER STEERING
POWER ASSISTED RACK & PINION
COMPONENTS OF POWER STEERING
SYSTEM
1. Fluid Reservoir - Purpose

2. Fluid Pump – Types, source of energy, hydraulic fluid used, fluid pressure

3. Pressure Relief Valves – why used in a fluid line?

4. Fluid Lines

5. Control Valves – types and introduction

POWER RACK & PINION
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
Electronic Power Steering - Advantages
1. Simple construction due to elimination of hydraulic power steering pump, hoses,
hydraulic fluid, drive belt and engine pulley.

2. No need for the engine to provide mechanical power for steering.

3. No problem of leakage of fluid.

4. Energy being consumed only while steering. This means lesser fuel consumption and
CO2 emissions

5. Steering assistance available even when the engine is not running.

6. While steering, less force is required compared to hydraulic system since there is no
fluid to be forced through the valves

7. Since Electronic steering system operates under computer control, it can integrated
with ESC and ABS.
HYDRAULIC VS ELECTRIC
UNDER STEER, OVER STEER & NEUTRAL STEER
UNDERSTEER & OVERSTEER