The principle behind a car’s steering system is, fortunately, quite simple but its effects are miraculous. Most steering systems in modern cars are power-assisted. The steering system of your car is everything from the steering wheel to the steering shaft, rack and gearbox, all the way to the linkage which connects to the wheels themselves. 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. Browse through this category for various auto-steering system parts available in Zambian stores.
In most cars, small trucks and SUVs on the road today, there is a rack and pinion steering system. This converts the rotational motion of the steering wheel into the linear motion that turns the wheels and guides your path. The system involves a circular gear (the steering pinion) which locks teeth on a bar (the rack).
The automatic steering wheel is a basic and crucial part of a driverless vehicle which is highly recognized as the final trend of vehicle. In comparison with the hydraulic power system, the electric power steering (EPS) system is a new power steering system which could provide power when the driver steers.
There are two main types of steering gear used for most modern vehicles: the rack and pinion steering gear and the recirculating ball steering gear.
The power steering system uses intermediate electric or hydraulic devices to reduce the effort necessary to steer the front wheels of the vehicle side to side. It multiplies the force applied by the driver through the steering wheel to achieve a smooth and quick directional change of the vehicle.
Power Steering Systems
- Hydraulic Power Steering.
- Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering.
- Electric Power Steering or Motor-Driven Power Steering.
Electric power steering simply uses an electric motor to direct the steering commands made by the driver easily, a Hydraulic power steering uses pumps and pistons for the same. The electric power steering is more efficient and works to the point.
Manual steering is steering in which the driver does all the work, without the help of mechanical power. Change-over from automatic to manual steering should be possible under any conditions. The manual steering is delightfully fluid and not so much heavy as it is in low gear.
Components in a Power Steering System
- The Pump. The power steering pump's job is to pressurize the hydraulic fluid
- The Pump Pulley. Like a multitude of other components beneath your hood, the power steering pump receives its own power from your car's engine
- The Rotary Valve
Functions of the steering system:
- It provides wheels swinging to the left or right.
- It provides vehicle turning as per the will of the driver.
- It provides directional stability.
- It helps to control the wear and tear of tyres.
- It helps in achieving the self-rightening effect.
