What Causes the Steering Gear Bushing to Make a Clicking Sound When Broken?

[DeTanner]

The noise coming from the lower part of the steering column near the steering wheel could be due to loose bolts or insufficient lubrication. Below is relevant information about the steering gear: 1. Introduction: The automobile steering gear, also known as the steering mechanism or direction machine, is the most critical component in the vehicle's steering system. Its function is to amplify the force transmitted from the steering wheel to the steering linkage and to alter the direction of force transmission. 2. Types of Steering Gears: (1) Rack and Pinion Steering: This is the most common type of steering gear. Its basic structure consists of a pair of meshing small gears and a rack. When the steering shaft drives the small gear to rotate, the rack moves linearly. Sometimes, the rack directly drives the tie rod, enabling the steering wheels to turn. Therefore, this is the simplest type of steering gear. Its advantages include a simple structure, low cost, sensitive steering, compact size, and the ability to directly drive the tie rod. It is widely used in automobiles. (2) Worm and Roller Steering: This steering gear uses a worm as the driving part and a roller as the driven part. The worm has trapezoidal threads, and the finger-like tapered pins are supported by bearings on the roller, which is integrated with the steering rocker arm shaft. When steering, the worm is rotated by the steering wheel, causing the tapered pins embedded in the worm's spiral groove to rotate and move in an arc around the steering rocker arm shaft, thereby driving the roller and steering arm to swing and turning the steering wheels through the steering linkage. This type of steering gear is typically used in heavy-duty trucks that require greater steering force. (3) Recirculating Ball Steering: The recirculating ball power steering system mainly consists of two parts: the mechanical part and the hydraulic part. The mechanical part includes the housing, side cover, upper cover, lower cover, recirculating ball screw, rack nut, rotary valve spool, and sector gear shaft. There are two pairs of transmission components: one is the screw and nut, and the other is the rack and sector gear or sector gear shaft. Between the screw and the rack nut, there are recirculating steel balls that convert sliding friction into rolling friction, thereby improving transmission efficiency. The advantages of this steering gear are easy operation, minimal wear, and long service life. The disadvantages are a complex structure, higher cost, and less steering sensitivity compared to the rack and pinion type.