Do you ever wonder how your car magically turns left or right upon your steering command? Well, there is an entire system in place that enables you to do so. The steering system converts your steering wheel rotation into a movement of your vehicle’s wheels correctly. There are three steering systems, but today we are going to focus on the two most common systems.
- The Rack-and-Pinion System The rack-and-pinion system is compiled of a steering column with a small pinion inside of it. When the pinion is turned it makes the rack move from side to side. The rack is attached to the vehicle’s wheels allowing for precise movement and turning. The rack-and-pinion system is a simple system and has a few parts that become worn and need to be replaced, but it’s an easy fix nonetheless.
- Power-Assisted Steering System The power-assisted steering system is the most common system nowadays with newer vehicles. In this system, power-assisted steering overcomes heavy gearing. Oil is applied to the rack or the steering box via the vehicle’s engine. There are valves located in the steering rack or box that will open up whenever the steering wheel is turned. Once open, the oil enters into the cylinder and helps to push the steering in the right direction. When the driver stops turning the wheel then the valve shuts. The benefits of power-assisted steering is its ability to alleviate heavy steering. When the power stops working the driver can still steer, but it would just be heavier.
The steering system is highly important because if you are unable to control where your vehicle is moving, well things could definitely end up poorly. Sometimes the steering wheel can feel loose or lock up when something in the system is wrong. If you are having one of these issues, please feel free to schedule an appointment at one of McCarthy Auto Group’s service centers today!
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