Unit-3

2. What are the functions of an automobile steering system?

Functions of the steering system are as follows:
a) It helps in turning the wheels to the left or right.
b) It provides directional stability.
c) It helps in controlling wear and tear of tyres.
d) It helps in achieving the self-rightening effect.
e) It converts the rotary movement of the steering wheel into an angular turn of
the front wheels.
f) It multiplies the effort of the driver by leverage in order to make it fairly easy
to turn the wheels.
g) It absorbs a major part of the road shocks thereby preventing them to get
transmitted to the hands of the driver.

3. Explain the Ackermann steering gear mechanism. Write its relative

merits.
In Ackerman steering gear, the mechanism
ABCD is a four bar crank chain,
The shorter links BC and AD are of equal
length and are connected by hinge joints
with front wheel axles. The longer links AB
and CD are of unequal length. The
following are the only three positions for
correct steering.
1) When the vehicle moves along a straight path, the longer links AB and CD
are parallel and the shorter links BC and AD are equally inclined to the
longitudinal axis of the vehicle, as shown by firm lines in Fig. 3.7.
2) When the vehicle is steering to the left, the position of the gear is shown by
dotted lines in Fig. 3.7. In this position, the lines of the front wheel axle
intersect on the back wheel axle at I, for correct steering.
3) When the vehicle is steering to the right, the similar position may beobtained.
In order to satisfy the fundamental equation for correct steering, links AD and
DC are suitably proportioned. The value of θ and φ may be obtained either
graphically or by calculations.
Advantages
•Ackermann steering mechanism has the advantage that it employs pivots and
not sliding constrains, due to which reason its maintenance is easier.
•That is why it is universally employed.
4. Explain the following terms related to steering geometry: i) steering axis
inclination ii) camber iii) caster
Steering axis Inclination
Inclination of the king pin from vertical is called the
king pin inclination or king pin rake.
In modern cars where the king pin has been replaced
by the ball joints, this term has also been renamed as
‘Steering Axis Inclination’ and is defined as the
inclination of the ball joint axis from the vertical.
Steering axis is an imaginary line drawn through the
lower and the upper steering pivot points.
SAI is non-adjustable, since it would change only if
the wheel spindle or steering knuckle is bent.

Camber
Camber is the tilt of the car wheels from the vertical.
Camber is positive if the tilt is outward at the top.
Camber is also called ‘wheel rake.’

Caster
Caster is the angle between the steering axis and a vertical line running through
the centre of the wheel and tire, viewed from the side.
More simply, caster is the forward or backward tilt of the steering axis. If the
steering axis leans toward the back of the vehicle, the wheel has positive caster.
If the steering axis tilts toward the front of the vehicle, the wheel has negative
caster. If the caster line is vertical, the wheel has zero caster.
5. Explain what centre point steering means.
Scrub radius is also known as steering offset and scrub geometry. It is the
distance between two imaginary points on the road surface. One point is the
centerline of the tire using the camber line, and the other point is where the SAI
centerline contacts the road surface.
If these two lines intersect at the center of the tire, at the road surface, then the
vehicle is said to have zero offset, or zero scrub radius. If the camber line is
outside of the SAI line, then it has positive offset or positive scrub radius. If the
camber line is inside of the SAI line, then it has negative offset or negative
scrub radius.
If the scrub radius is zero the wheel keeps its straight position, without any
tendency to toe-in or toe-out.
In this position, the steering is called centre point steering.
6. Write briefly about pitman arm and steering arm.
Pitman arm
•It is also called the drop arm.
•It converts the output torque from the steering gear into a force to the drag link
•It is attached to the sector shaft of the steering gear by a split joint.
•In this construction either full serrations or partial spline is used to transmit the
torque from the sector shaft to the pitman arm.
•The split arm is tightened around the sector shaft by the clamping bolt to mate
the male and female serrations or splines.
•The end of the pitman arm which connects with the drag link has a taper hole
in it.
•The ball stud on the drag link is fitted into this hole.
Steering arm
•It is usually a forged component and is attached to the steering knuckle.
•It converts the drag link force into a turning moment about the left king pin.
•The steering arm is attached to the spindle by a keyway, a locking taper and a
nut.
•The arm extends either to the front or rear of the spindle, depending upon the
package constraints and then bends to locate the steering arm ball joint at the
correct geometric location.
•The end of the steering arm which connects with the drag link has a tapered
hole in it to accept the ball stud on the drag link.

1. Explain why the front wheels have to toe-out in turns.

Toe-out is the amount by which the front wheels are set closer together at the
rear than at the front when the vehicle is stationary.
The angle of the steering arm on the steering knuckle determines the turning
radius. It's known as the Toe Out On Turns or the TOOT angle. This angle keeps
the front tires from squealing around corners. When a vehicle turns, the inside
wheel travels less distance and has a shorter turning radius than the outside
wheel.
The TOOT angle is built into the steering arm and causes the tire to Toe Out On
Turns. Toe out on turns or TOOT is not adjustable, and when out of
specifications, something in the steering linkage, like the steering arm, is bent or
damaged.
7. Illustrate the following terms related to steering geometry: i) toe in and
toe out ii) combined angle iii) scrub radius
Toe-in is the amount by which the front wheels are set closer together at the
front than at the rear when the vehicle is stationary.
Therefore, toe-in = B-A.
Toe-out is the amount by which the front wheels are set closer
together at the rear than at the front when the vehicle is
stationary.
Combined Angle
The angle formed in the vertical plane between the wheel centre
line and the king pin centre line (or steering axis)is called
Combined Angle or Included angle.
Combined angle is equal to camber plus king pin inclination
Scrub Radius
Scrub radius is also known as steering offset and scrub
geometry. It is the distance between two imaginary points on
the road surface. One point is the centerline of the tire using the
camber line, and the other point is where the SAI centerline
contacts the road surface.
If these two lines intersect at the center of the tire, at the road surface, then the
vehicle is said to have zero offset, or zero scrub radius. If the camber line is
outside of the SAI line, then it has positive offset or positive scrub radius. If the
camber line is inside of the SAI line, then it has negative offset or negative
scrub radius.
8. Write briefly about link rod and tie rod.
Link Rod (Drag Link)
•A link rod, also known as a drag link or relay rod, is a part of the steering
linkage that connects the steering gear to other steering components, often to
transmit lateral movement to the front wheels.
•The link rod is crucial for converting the rotational movement of the steering
gear into horizontal movement that directs the front wheels.
•This connects the pitman arm and the steering arm.
•In some cases, it is a one piece forging with a ball joint socket formed in the
end.
•Connecting to the Steering Arm: The other end of the link rod is connected to
the steering arm or steering knuckle, affecting the movement of the front
wheels.
•Shape and Design: The design of the link rod may vary based on the vehicle's
steering configuration. It may be a straight bar or a complex linkage, depending
on the specific requirements of the steering system.

Tie Rod
•The tie rod is a tubular member which connects the left and right tie rod arms.
•As such it transmits the force between these two components.
•The tie rod ends have female threads.
•The ball joint shafts have mating male threads.
•The threaded connections can be held together firmly by the locking clamps
after the proper length has been set.
•The length of the tie rod has to be adjusted so that the front axle toe in will be
to the specified amount.

9. State the requirements of a good steering system.

For proper and smooth operation and performance of the system, the steering
system of any vehicle should fulfil the following requirements:
1) It should multiply the turning effort applied on the steering wheel by the
driver.
2) It should be to a certain extent irreversible. In other words, the shocks of the
road surface encountered by the wheels should not be transmitted to the driver’s
hands.
3) The mechanism should have self-rightening effect i.e., when the driver
releases the steering wheel after negotiating the turn, the wheel should try to
achieve straight ahead position.