1.
Steering Systems
Steering Systems
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Topics covered in this presentation:
Basic Steering Systems
Linkage Steering
Rack-and-Pinion Steering
Power Steering
ClassAct SRS enabled.
1. Steering Systems
Basic Steering Systems
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Two main types of steering: Steering knuckles
Linkage or Conventional Track rods
type (also known as
Parallelogram). Drop arm Idler arm
Rack-and-pinion type. Steering
gear/box
Centre link
Linkage type uses a worm gear
inside the steering gear/box, this
operates the drop arm, then couples Rack-and-pinion
to a centre link, idler arm, track rods
and the steering knuckles.
Rack-and-pinion type uses track Track rods
rods to couple the rack to the
steering knuckles.
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1. Steering Systems
Question 1
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
What is the linkage type of steering system also known as?
A) Complicated type
B) Rack-and-pinion type
C) Parallelogram type
D) Idler type
1. Steering Systems
Question 2
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Which type of steering system uses a worm gear inside the
steering gear/box?
A) Linkage type
B) Rack-and-pinion type
1. Steering Systems
Steering Shafts and Columns
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Nearly all steering systems use a steering column or shaft to link the driver
(steering wheel) to the steering rack or gear/box.
Flexible coupling isolates steering Steering
wheel from road shocks. wheel
Universal joints allow steering
shaft angles to change. Flexible
Collapsible coupling
Most steering columns are
section
designed with a collapsible Universal
section that helps prevent joints
forces generated in a collision
Master spline
being transferred to the driver. location
Bottom of steering column normally Steering rack
has a master spline where it mounts or gear/box
onto the steering rack-and-pinion or
steering gear/box. Next >
1. Steering Systems
Question 3
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
What is the name of the joint that allows the steering shaft
angle to change?
A) Hinged joint
B) Universal joint
C) Hanging joint
D) Flexible joint
1. Steering Systems
Ball Joints
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Ball joints are common on Track rod
Adjusting end
most steering systems and Inner track lock nut
provide a controllable link to rod
the other steering components.
Ball joints allow linkage
components to swivel freely.
Adjusting thread
Suspension (vertical) and Ball socket
steering (horizontal) movements.
Boot
Nearly all ball joints have some
form of adjustment.
Most steering rack ends have
adjustable ball joints and some Shock damper Inner track
incorporate shock dampers. assembly Ball joint rod
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1. Steering Systems
Linkage Type Steering System
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Idler arm Drop arm (connected to steering
Idler arm gear/box)
bracket
Steering
damper
Track rod
assembly
Centre link
Linkage type steering has many component
parts and is normally found on older vehicles. Track rod
assembly Next >
1. Steering Systems
Question 4
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
What does the Drop arm of a linkage steering system connect to?
A) Idler arm
B) Track rod
C) Steering column
D) Steering gear/box
1. Steering Systems
Steering Gear/box Principles
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Most linkage type steering systems require some form of mechanical
advantage, this is provided mainly by the gear ratio in the steering gear/box.
Three main types of steering gear/box:
Worm Gear Worm gear type
Re-circulating Ball
Worm and roller (older Vehicles)
Re-circulating
Most common are “Worm Gear”
ball type
and “Re-circulating Ball”.
Drop arm couples to links.
Worm drive on steering shaft.
Re-circulating ball mechanism.
Small number of teeth needed. Next >
1. Steering Systems
Rack-and-Pinion Type Steering System
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Rack-and-pinion steering is more
precise and compact.
Uses less component parts.
Steering
Steering rack column
Boot
Ball joint
Steering
knuckle
Track rod
More common on modern vehicles.
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1. Steering Systems
Question 5
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Which of the following is an advantage of a rack-and-pinion
steering system over a linkage steering system?
A) It can be made larger
B) It contains fewer parts
C) It is more common
D) It can be used on cars
1. Steering Systems
Rack-and-Pinion Steering Principle
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Pinion gear is turned by steering shaft.
Pinion meshes with rack to
move it sideways.
Thrust spring holds
rack against pinion to
prevent backlash.
Pinion shaft is normally shimmed to minimize end float
(up or down movement) also reducing backlash.
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1. Steering Systems
Question 6
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
A rack-and-pinion gear, as used in a steering system, converts
rotary motion to linear motion. Is this true or false?
Answer True or False.
1. Steering Systems
Basic Power Steering Systems
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Power steering uses hydraulic fluid
pressure to assist steering movement.
Three main types:
Rack-and-pinion
Integral piston
External cylinder
All systems require
a reservoir, pump,
hoses, control valve,
pressure relief valve
and a hydraulic cylinder.
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1. Steering Systems
Question 7
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
What substance is used to assist steering in a power steering system?
A) Compressed air
B) A vacuum
C) Hydraulic fluid
D) Distilled water
1. Steering Systems
Power Rack-and-Pinion Steering
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Power cylinder acts directly within the steering racks
main body.
Fluid reservoir can be
located on top of belt-
driven hydraulic pump.
Control valve within
steering rack body
connected to top
of pinion shaft.
Steering gear mounted to
cross-member or frame.
Fluid fed to power cylinder via valves and hoses. Next >
1. Steering Systems
Power Rack-and-Pinion Operation
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Control valve operates with direction of movement of the pinion
gear (steering column).
Pressure hoses Steering column
Control valve (inside
pinion housing)
Power cylinder Seals
Control valve directs fluid Rack
flow to the correct side of the
power cylinder piston.
Piston moves and assists steering
rack movement. Piston
Next >
1. Steering Systems
Question 8
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Power steering works by assisting the movement of the worm gear.
Is this true or false?
Answer True or False.
1. Steering Systems
Integral-Piston Power Steering System
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Hydraulic pump belt-
driven from engine.
Control valve and piston in
steering box housing.
Piston inside the
steering box assists
Drop arm movement.
Idler arm guides
lateral movement.
Track rods link to
steering knuckles.
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1. Steering Systems
Integral Power Steering Gear Operation
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Some belt-driven pumps have Reservoir Control valve (part
integral reservoir. of the gear housing)
Pump
Steering wheel stationary -
pressure to control valve
returned to the reservoir.
Steering wheel to right - control
valve moves and feeds pressure Piston
to the correct side of the piston to
give turning assistance.
Steering wheel to left - control
valve moves and feeds pressure Gear housing
to the other side of the piston,
giving turning assistance in the Drop arm
opposite direction.
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1. Steering Systems
Question 9
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
What does the belt of a hydraulic pump connect to?
A) Drop arm
B) Engine
C) Steering column
D) Piston
1. Steering Systems
External Cylinder Power Steering
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Power cylinder attached to frame via a bracket and to centre link.
Steering gear couples
to Drop arm.
Control valve fed
from Drop arm.
Standard idler link.
Pump has
reservoir on top.
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1. Steering Systems
Power Steering Pumps
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Many different types of pumps can be used, Cap and fluid
the most common is the vane type. level dipstick
Power steering vane pump component parts.
End plate seal
Belt
Vanes Pulley
Vane body Pump body and
Bearing centre shaft
Vane housing
Supply and return hoses
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1. Steering Systems
Vane-Type Steering Pump Operation
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
Vanes throw out into Vanes
cammed cylinder.
Cavity expands near
inlets forming vacuum.
Fluid compresses near
outlets forcing fluid out.
Low pressure in inlet pipes.
High pressure in outlet pipes.
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1. Steering Systems
Question 10
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
A vane type steering pump creates low pressure in inlet pipes.
Is this true or false?
Answer True or False.
1. Steering Systems
Summary
Automotive – Steering & Suspension
You should now be aware of:
Basic Steering Systems
Linkage Steering
Rack-and-Pinion Steering
Power Steering
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