Steering System
The automobile steering system is one of the most critically important
elements in the safe functioning of a vehicle; bring your car to Ewell
Auto Service in Fort Worth for inspection and maintenance of all parts
of the steering system.
 The steering wheel and column are the most conspicuous parts of the
system, jammed packed with controls that must all operate properly.
The automobile steering wheel attaches to the steering column. A ratchet
joint in the steering column allows tilt options for the steering wheel.
Attached to the steering wheel and steering column are many other controls,
such as the horn, cruise control, light controls, controls for window
washers and wipers, etc. Sometimes airbags are mounted inside the center
of the steering wheel.
The steering wheel is connected to the front wheels of the car, allowing
the driver to control the turns of the vehicle.
Many things must happen instantly and correctly when the driver turns
the steering wheel which, through gears and connections of various kinds,
turns the automobile’s wheels. The speed of the vehicle, the angle
of the turn, the condition of the road—all these affect the mechanisms
of the steering system.
One form of steering gear is the rack and pinion.
Connected to the steering shaft is a gear called a pinion, which turns
another gear called a rack. Attached to the end of the rack is a tie
rod that connects to the steering arm of the wheel mechanism. When you
turn your automobile’s steering wheel, the pinion moves, turning
the rack, which then turns the wheel. Rack and pinion steering provides
gear reduction, making turning the wheels easier. It has fewer parts
than older systems.
Power steering with rack and pinion has a piston and pump to make steering
easier.
With power steering the rack and pinion system provides easier steering
by utilizing an engine-driven pump to supply high-pressure hydraulic
fluid to the steering rack when the wheel is turned. Hoses, seals, o-rings,
and other parts can wear out, start to leak hydraulic fluid, and steering
will be affected.
Another form of steering is recirculating-ball steering, used on many
trucks and SUVs.
 The steering wheel connects to a threaded rod that is fixed rigidly
into a hole in a block. When the steering wheel turns, it turns the rod,
which turns the block, which moves the gear that turns the wheels. Ball
bearings recirculate through the gear as it turns, reducing friction
and wear in the gear, and keeping the steering tight. Power steering
in a recirculating-ball system provides higher-pressure fluid to one
side of the block to make it easier to steer.
Power for power steering is created by a hydraulic pump.
The pump is driven by a belt off the engine crankshaft. The pump provides
fluid on demand to assist in turning. Vanes inside a chamber spin, pulling
hydraulic fluid in at low pressure and forcing it out at high pressure.
The engine speed determines the amount of fluid flow. The pump contains
a pressure-relief valve to make sure that the pressure does not get too
great at high engine speeds.
Rotary valves sense when the power steering assist is needed.
The valves respond instantly to changes in steering direction. When
the automobile is going in a straight line, there is no need for the
power steering to kick in. The rotary valve makes the assessment as to
whether additional power is needed to steer. This system includes a torsion
bar and a spool-valve. There is also a fail-safe system so that the driver
can continue to steer the vehicle, even if the power steering fails.
Like the rest of the automobile, the steering system requires maintenance.
Tie rod ends need lubrication to prevent wear or breakage which could
cause loss of steering ability. Hoses, seals, o-rings can wear out or
break. All the parts can be damaged by running over obstacles or debris
from the road. The power steering fluid can leak, belts can become worn.
A car without rack and pinion steering has more parts, all of which need
to be checked for wear. Even at low speeds, defaults in the steering
system could cause swaying or complete loss of control, and tragically,
this often comes without warning. Misaligned tires also can cause wear
of the steering system. So bring your automobile to Ewell Auto Service
in Fort Worth for proper maintenance of your automobile’s steering
system.
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