Steering Systems

Question 1

What are the functions of a steering system?

Answer 1

• provides control of front wheels
• Maintains correct amount of effort needed to turn front wheels
• transmits road feel to driver hands
• absorbs most of shocking going to steering
• allows for suspension travel

Question 2

Describe the steering wheel.

Answer 2

Used by drive to rotate steering shaft

Question 3

Describe the steering shaft.

Answer 3

Transfers steering wheel motion to the steering gear box

Question 4

Describe the steering column.

Answer 4

Supports the steering wheel and shaft

Question 5

Describe the steering gear box.

Answer 5

Changes turning motion into straight left and right motion

Question 6

Describe the steering linkage

Answer 6

Connects the steering gear box to the steering knuckles

Question 7

Describe the ball joints

Answer 7

Allows control arms to move

Question 8

Describe the pinion gear on a rack and pinion steering.

Answer 8

Rotated by steering wheel and shaft, it’s teeth mesh with the ones on the rack

Question 9

Describe the gear housing on a rack and pinion steering.

Answer 9

Holds the pinion gear and rack assembly

Question 10

Describe the Tie Rods in a rack and pinion steering.

Answer 10

Inner and outer tie rods connect to the steering knuckle

Question 11

Describe worm type steering.

Answer 11

Steering linkage have several parts that connect steering gear box to the steering knuckles.

Question 12

What do worm type gearboxes usually have?

Answer 12

A pitman arm, idler arm, centre link, and the tie rod ends

Question 13

Describe a pitman arm.

Answer 13

Splined to the output shaft of the gearbox and the other end of the centre link

Question 14

Describe the centre link.

Answer 14

Steel bar connecting the left and right side to the pitman arm and idler arm

Question 15

Describe the idler arm.

Answer 15

Connected to the frame on the passenger side and supports the centre link

Question 16

Describe the ball sockets.

Answer 16

Provides a swivel connection between two parts

Question 17

Describe the tie rod assembly.

Answer 17

Allows for suspension action and adjustment for wheel alignments

Question 18

Describe the integral power steering system.

Answer 18

Has the hydraulic piston inside the steering gear box

Question 19

Describe the external power steering system (linkage type).

Answer 19

A power steering system that uses a power ram bolted to the frame and to the centre link.

Question 20

Describe a power cylinder

Answer 20

Hydraulic cylinder, steel tube, machines, supporting the rack inside the housing

Question 21

Describe the power piston

Answer 21

Hydraulic double acting piston formed on the rack

Question 22

Describe the hydraulic lines

Answer 22

Steel tubing connecting the spool valve to each side of the hydraulic piston

Question 23

Describe the control valve

Answer 23

Rotary or spool valve that controls the fluid to each side of the piston

Question 24

Describe the pressure relief valve.

Answer 24

Controls the maximum oil pressure usually you can hear it working on full lock turns, if this sticks open there is no power assist

Question 25

Describe the high pressure feed hose.

Answer 25

Connects from the power steering pump to the steering gear box

Question 26

Describe the lower pressure return hose.

Answer 26

Connects from the steering gear box through a fluid cooler back to the reservoir

Question 27

What are the two types of power steering hoses?

Answer 27

High pressure feed hose, low pressure return hose

Question 28

What do power systems use to assist with the steering action?

Answer 28

Engine driven pump and hydraulic system, new vehicles use electric motors.

Question 29

High pressure fluid to the piston cylinder assembly is supplied by?

Answer 29

The steering pump

Question 30

What is the purpose of a control valve in a power steering system?

Answer 30

Directs pressured fluid to one or the other end of the piston in the gearbox

Question 31

The piston slide in the cylinder under _________

Answer 31

Pressure

Question 32

What is the purpose of a power steering system?

Answer 32

Assist in movement of the steering components and front wheels as the vehicle steering wheel is turned

Question 33

At slow speeds how are the wheels turned?

Answer 33

Rear wheels are then in the opposite direction of front wheels

Question 34

At fast speeds how are the wheels turned?

Answer 34

All four wheels are turned In the same direction

Question 35

Describe a wheel alignment.

Answer 35

Purpose is to make the tires roll without scuffing, slipping, or dragging.

Question 36

What are the 6 fundamental angles for a proper wheel alignment?

Answer 36

``` Caster Camber Toe Steering axis Toe out on turns Tracking ```

Question 37

Describe the caster angle

Answer 37

Forward or rearward tilt of the steering knuckle

Question 38

Describe positive caster

Answer 38

The steering axis will tilt towards the driver

Question 39

Describe negative caster

Answer 39

The wheels will be easier to turn, wheels will tend to swivel and follow road imperfections

Question 40

How is caster measured?

Answer 40

In degrees

Question 41

Describe camber

Answer 41

Inward or outward tilt of wheel

Question 42

What does camber control.

Answer 42

Controls where the tire touches to pavement

Question 43

What is positive camber

Answer 43

The outward tilt

Question 44

What is negative camber

Answer 44

The inward tilt

Question 45

Describe the toe angle

Answer 45

The difference between the left and right wheel at the front

Question 46

What is toe in?

Answer 46

The front wheels are closer together than the rear wheels

Question 47

What is toe out?

Answer 47

The rear wheels are closer together than the front wheels

Question 48

What is the purpose of steering angle inclination?

Answer 48

It aids directional control, it’s not adjustable but can be used to determine if something is bent

Question 49

Describe under steering

Answer 49

When vehicle is slow to respond to steering changes in a turn. Rear tires retain traction front skid/slip

Question 50

Describe oversteer

Answer 50

Front maintain traction but rear tend to skid/slip sideways on tight turns

Question 51

Describe tracking

Answer 51

To insure to the rear wheels follow in the tracks of the front wheels straight ahead

Question 52

What is another word for improper tracking?

Answer 52

Also called dog tracking

Question 53

Describe setback

Answer 53

When one side wheels are closer together than the other side, Frame damage, bent or Broken parts