Steering System

Primary function are :

Steering is to achieve angular motion of the front
wheels.
This is done through linkage and steering gear which
converts the rotary motion of the steering wheel into
angular motion of the front road wheels.
Other functions are :
To provide directional stability of the vehicle when going
straight.
To provide perfect rolling motion of the road wheels all
the times.
To facilitate straight ahead recovery after completing a
turn.
 Requirements of steering

Steering mechanism should be very accurate and easy

to handle.
The effort required to steer should be minimal and
must not be tiresome to the driver.
Steering mechanism should also provide directional
stability.
Component of Steering
 Types of Steering System

Rack and pinion gear.

Worm and sector steering gear
Worm and roller steering gear.
Cam and double lever steering gear.
Worm and ball bearing nut steering gear.
Cam and roller steering gear.
Recirculating ball steering gear.
 Types of Steering System

Rack and pinion gear.

This type of steering gear is use on light vehicles like
cars and in power steering.
It occupies very small space and uses lesser number of
linkage components compared to worm and wheel type of
gear
The rotary motion of the steering wheel is transmitted to
the pinion of the steering gear through universal joints.
The pinion is in mesh with a rack.
The circular motion of the pinion is transferred into the
linear rack movement , which is further relayed through the
ball joints and tie rods to the stub axles for the wheels to
be steered.
Types of Steering System
 Types of Steering System

Worm and sector steering gear.

Steering gearbox make connection between steering shaft
and the steering linkage. In the worm and sector steering
gear box, the worm on the end of the steering shaft meshes
with a sector mounted on the sector shaft. When the worm is
rotated by rotation of steering wheel, the sector also turn
rotate the sector shaft. Its motion is transmitted to the wheel
through the linkage
Types of Steering System
2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M P
Groover, Fundamentals of Modern
Manufacturing 4/e
 Types of Steering System

Worm and roller steering gear.

In the worm and roller steering gear, a two tooth roller is
fastened to the sector or roller shaft so that it is meshes with
the threads of the worm gear or the shaft at the end of
steering shaft and tube. When the worm shaft is turned it
causes the roller to move in an arc so as to rotate the roller
shaft, and at the same time turn on the pin connecting it to
shaft.
2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M P
Groover, Fundamentals of Modern
Manufacturing 4/e
Types of Steering System
 Types of Steering System

Cam and double lever steering gear.

In this steering gear, a special worm called cam, replaces
the worm used in the two type just describe above. The cam
is cylindrical in shape, its actuating part being a groove a
variable pitch made narrower at the center than at the end.
This provide non reversibility in the center part of the cam
where the most of the car steering take place. The twin lever
are mounted on the cross shaft and are located so that the
studs engage from the side, when the cam is turned, the
studs move along the cam groove to cause the lever to
swing through an arc, and thus the turning the cross shaft
Types of Steering System
 Types of Steering System

Worm and ball bearing nut steering gear.

In this type of steering gear, a ball is mounted on the
worm of the steering shaft. The worm and the nut have
mating spiral grooves in which steel ball circulate to
provide a frictionless drive between worm and nut. Two set
of balls are used, with each set operation independently of
other, a ball return guide is attached to the outer surface of
the nut. When the steering shaft is turn to the left or right,
the ball nut is moved up and down by the balls which is roll
between the worm and nut. A sector gear mounted on the
sector shaft meshes with the ball nut, so that it get motion
by the ball nut.
2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. M P
Groover, Fundamentals of Modern
Manufacturing 4/e
Types of Steering System
 Types of Steering System

Cam and roller steering gear.

In this type of steering gear system a cam meshes with the
roller. As the cam rotates, the roller is compelled to follow
the cam and in doing so causes the rocker shaft to rotate,
thus moving the drop arm. The contour of the cam is
designed to mesh with the arc made by the roller so
maintaining a constant depth of mesh evenly distributing the
load and wear on the mating parts.
Types of Steering System
 Types of Steering System

Cam and peg steering gear.

This type of gear system attached with the rocker arm is
a taper peg which engage in the cam. When the cam
rotates, the peg move along the groove causing the rocker
shaft to rotate.
Types of Steering System
 Types of Steering System

Recirculating ball steering gear.

This type of gear system is similar to the worm and ball
bearing nut steering gear. The balls are contained in a
half nut and transfer tube. As the cam and worm rotates ,
the balls passes from one side of the nut through the
transfer tube to the opposite side. As nut cannot turn, and
a movement of the balls along the track of the cam carries
the nut alongwith it and rotate to the rockershaft.
Types of Steering System
 Wheel Alignment

Positioning of the steered wheels to achieve the following is

termed as wheel alignment.

1. To achieve directional stability during straight ahead

position.
2. To achieve perfect rolling on steering.
3. To achieve recovery after completing the turn.
 Factors of Wheel Alignment

Factors pertaining to wheels

Steering Geometry
Steering Linkages
Suspension system
 Factors of Wheel Alignment

Factors pertaining to wheels:

1.Balance of wheels: Wheels are need to be in proper

dynamic balance.
2.Inflation of tyres: Variation of air pressure from standard
prescribed will change the rolling radius.
3.Brake adjustment: If the Brake adjustment is not adjusted
properly , it can pull the vehicle to one side.
 Factors of Wheel Alignment

Steering Geometry
Camber
Inward or outward tilt of the wheel at the top when viewed
from the front of the car.
Camber should not exceed 2 degree.
It effect Tire wear.
 Steering Geometry

Camber
Positive Camber
When camber is positive the tire leans out away from the vehicle
at the top.
On both front and rear wheels camber is important.
 Steering Geometry

Camber
Negative Camber
When camber is negative the tire leans in toward the car at the
top.
It is always desirable that tyres should roll on the ground
vertically so that the wear is uniform
 Steering Geometry

Camber Tire Wear

 Steering Geometry
Caster
Forward or rearward tilt of the steering knuckle at the top
Measured in degrees of a circle
Provides straight line driving steering wheel return and direction
stability.
Does NOT effect tire wear
 Steering Geometry
Measuring Caster
Caster is measured in degrees of a circle from true vertical.
If the steering knuckle leans toward the rear of the car at the top
that is positive caster.
If the steering knuckle leans toward the front of the car at the top
that is negative caster.
 Steering Geometry
How Caster Works
There are two points of importance
The point of contact.
The point of lead
The vehicle will always follow the point of lead.
About 3 degree of caster gives good result
 Steering Geometry
Effects Of Caster
If the difference in the caster angle is more than degree from
side to side, the car will pull to the side of the most negative caster.
Caster has no effect on tire wear.
 Steering Geometry
Toe-in Toe-out
Toe is the difference in distance between the front and rear of the
front wheels.
Measured in inches, millimeters or degrees.
Tire wearing angle.
Does not effect handling
 Steering Geometry
Measuring TOE
Toe is typically measured in inches. (fractions of inches)
If it is off, the tires will wear feather edged.
Tyre rolling resistance produces some drag which result in
rearward movement of the suspension arm against their bushings
 Steering Geometry
Effect Toe In Toe Out

The amount also effect the handling characteristics. Increase in

toe- in would result in decreases the over-steer and increased
directional stability at high speeds, where as increase in toe- out
would result in reduced under-steer and greater ease in steering
during cornering.
Toe in initially provided generally does not exceed 3mm.
 Steering Geometry
Steering Axis Inclination

Gives directional stability much like

caster
Non-adjustable
Only changes when parts are bent
Very important to check in collision
work
 Steering Geometry
Effect King Pin Inclination

Gives it help the straight ahead recovery, thus providing the

directional stability. When the vehicle takes a turn, the inclination
of king pin causes the vehicle body to move up, in relation to the
wheels. So as soon as the steering wheel is left after the turn is
completed the weight of the vehicle tends to return the wheels to
the straight ahead position.
About 7 to 8 degrees.
Tire wear due to wheel Geometry
Thank you