AUTO EXPLORER

TEAM BENIGN BEADERS

STEERING SYSTEM
CONTENTS
 What is Steering system?
 Functions of Steering system
 Steering components and layout
 Steering geometries
 Steering gearboxes
 Power Steering
 Wheel allingment
 WHAT IS A STEERING
SYSTEM?
 The steering system of a vehicle allows the driver
to control the direction of the vehicle through a
system of gears and linkages that connects the
steering wheel with the front wheels.
 It is not a single component but a combination of
different parts which convert the rotory motion of
steering wheel to the angular motion of wheels
which in turn gives direction to the vehicle.
FUNCTIONS OF STEERING
SYSTEM
 To take a turn.
 Prevent excessive tyre wear.
 Provide self rightening effect after taking a turn.
 To manouver the vehicle.
 Provide directional stability to the vehicle
 STEERING COMPONENTS
 Steering Wheel: The main purpose of the steering wheel is to
provide the driver with a suitable amount of leverage to turn the
steering from side to side with a minimal amount of effort.

 Steering Shaft: Steering shaft transmits the rotory motion of

steering wheel further to steering gearbox.
 Steering Column: Steering column supports the steering shaft and
allows free rotation of steering shaft.
 Steering Gear Box: It converts the rotory motion of
steering shaft to linear motion (in case of rack & pinion) or
to angular motion (in case of other gearboxes).
 Tie Rods: These are the links which finally transmits the
linear motion to give the angular motion of the wheels.
STEERING LAYOUT
 STEERING GEOMETRY
 It is the angular relationship between both steering
wheels which is implied to avoid slippage of wheels
during cornering thus giving a suitable radius of turn.
 There are two types of steering geometries-
1. Davis steering geometry : only sliding pairs are
used. Thus increases friction among its components.
2. Ackerman steering geometry : only turning pairs are
used. Commonly used geometry.
 STEERING GEARBOXES
 Rack and Pinion Steering- The system consists of a pinion attached to the
steering shaft, which meshes with the flat rack . Pinion imparts left or right
motion to the rack, which causes the tie rods to move the road wheels
consequently. This mechanism is usually adopted universally in all the cars .

 Worm and Sector steering gear- In this type of steering mechanism, worm
is connected at the end of steering shaft and sector is mounted on a sector
shaft. The teeth of the worm mesh with the teeth of the sector. It is also
known as “Pitman arm shaft”
 Worm and Roller steering gear- Worm and roller is similar
to the worm and sector type of steering mechanism. A
toothed roller is mounted on a roller shaft and worm gear is
mounted on a steering shaft. Gear tooth of worm gear meshes
with that of the roller and motion is transmitted. This
mechanism has low friction compared to Worm and Sector
mechanism.
 Cam and Lever steering gear- Cam and lever is
similar to the worm and sector gear mechanism. The worm
is replaced with cam and sector is replaced with a lever.
Cam is engaged by a bearing and lever, carries two studs
that are mounted on bearing. As the driver turns the steering
wheel, studs move up and down on the cam so lever and
pitman arm shaft rotates.
 Worm and Nut steering gear- A nut is meshed with
the worm and screws up and down relative to the
movement of the worm. This is also known as “re-
circulating ball type” mechanism. Nut is used with ball
that reduces the friction and power loss.
POWER STEERING
 The power steering system provides automatic
hydraulic or electronic assistance to the turning effort
applied to manual steering system.
 The hydraulics of power steering system absorb some
shocks from the road.
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
 The positioning of steered wheels to achieve directional stability,
perfect rolling condition and recovery after completing the turn is
termed as wheel alignment.
 Factors-
1.Camber: It is the tilt of car wheels from the vertical when viewed from front.

2.KPI: The inclination of king pin with vertical when viewed from front is called
king pin inclination.
3.Combined angle: Also known as included angle is the angle between the wheel center
line and king pin center line when viewed from front i.e. it is equal to the KPI+Camber angle.

4.Caster: It is the angle between king pin centerline and vertical when viewed from side
view.
5.Toe: Toe is the amount by which the front wheels are set closer at the front
than rear(toe in) or closer at the rear than front(toe out).