What Is Rack And Pinion Steering

Rack and pinion steering is quickly becoming the most common type of steering on cars small trucks and suvs.

What is rack and pinion steering.

It is actually a pretty simple mechanism. Rack and pinion provides less mechanical advantage than other mechanisms such as recirculating ball but less backlash and greater feedback or steering feel. This system consists of a circular gear called pinion engages with the teeth on the linear gear shaft called the rack. It is actually a pretty simple mechanism.

A rack and pinion gearset is enclosed in a metal tube with each end of the rack protruding from the tube. The rack and pinion is a type of steering mechanism with a pair of gears which convert the rotary motion into the linear motion. The mechanism may be power assisted usually by hydraulic or electrical means. The rotary motion applied to the pinion causes it to turn while it moves rack sideways.

Rack and pinion are the assembly of a vehicle that turns wheels from side to side when the driver turns the steering wheel. Rack and pinion steering is exactly what it sounds like a rack and a pinion. With rack and pinion steering the rotation of the pinion causes linear motion of the rack which turns the vehicle s wheels left or right. Rack and pinion steering uses a gear set to convert the circular motion of the steering wheel into the linear motion required to turn the wheels.

The rack is connected to the wheels via inner and outer tie rod ends. The rack is a flat grooved bar that extends horizontally across the bottom of the engine compartment connecting the left and right front wheels to one another. This standard configuration is found in lighter vehicles and will be replaced by a steering gear box in heavier applications. This is due to the ability of the gearbox to handle increased stress due to weight.