VARIATIONS
The steering gear is one of two types: recirculating ball or rack-and-pinion.
- Recirculating ball type steering is usually found on heavy cars since it is low in friction and provides good strength. Basically, small ball bearings are used inside the threads of a large nut to permit the so called ball nut to slide easily up and down a worm gear (shaft). Gear teeth on the outside of the sliding ball nut rotate the Pitman arm that, in turn, moves the steering linkage and attached wheels. The steering linkage is anchored to the frame by an idler arm. The ball bearings are "recirculated" through ball guides, or passages, so as to remain inside the ball nut, regardless of their location along the worm gear.
- Rack-and-pinion type steering requires less space and parts than the other type. A small pinion gear is connected to the end of the steering shaft. This gear is meshed with a toothed rack that moves back and forth as the pinion gear rotates. The rack motion turns the wheels right or left.
SYSTEMS
STEERING WHEEL & STEERING GEAR
CORRECT OPERATION
LONGEVITY TIPS