Simple Rack And Pinion Steering Diagram

Both the pinion and the rack teeth are helical gears.

Simple rack and pinion steering diagram.

Plus they have fewer joints in the steering linkage. Helical gearing gives smoother and quieter operation for the driver. A group of parts called the steering system transmits the movement of the steering wheel down the steering shaft to move the wheels left and right although car wheels don t turn at the same angle. A rod called a tie rod connects to each end of the rack.

Rack and pinion steering is quickly becoming the most common type of steering on cars small trucks and suvs. As you can see in the diagrams rack and pinion steering systems have fewer moving parts inside the gear compared to recirculating ball steering systems. This pinion runs in mesh with a rack that is connected to the steering tie rods. The rack and pinion steering box has a pinion connected to the steering column.

It is actually a pretty simple mechanism. A typical rack and pinion steering layout showing how the rack acts directly on the road wheel steering arms. A rack and pinion gearset is enclosed in a metal tube with each end of the rack protruding from the tube. Steering motion is transferred directly to the rack and then to the wheels so the steering is more precise and far more responsive.

It also provides a gear reduction so turning the wheels is easier. The steering system converts the rotation of the steering wheel into a swivelling movement of the road wheels in such a way that the steering wheel rim turns a long way to move the road wheels a short way.