What Does the Composition of an Automobile Steering System Include?
2 Answers
Automobile steering systems are divided into two major categories: mechanical steering systems and power steering systems. Below is the relevant introduction: Mechanical Steering System: The mechanical steering system uses the driver's physical strength as the steering energy source, and all force-transmitting components are mechanical. The mechanical steering system consists of three main parts: the steering control mechanism, the steering gear, and the steering linkage. Power Steering System: The power steering system is a steering system that uses both the driver's physical strength and the engine's power as the steering energy source. Under normal circumstances, only a small portion of the energy required for steering is provided by the driver, while the majority is provided by the engine through the power steering device. However, when the power steering device fails, the driver should generally still be able to independently handle the vehicle's steering tasks. Therefore, the power steering system is formed by adding a set of power steering devices to the mechanical steering system.
Having driven all my life, I believe the steering system is the soul of a car's handling. It starts with the steering wheel—that round disc you hold to turn; connected to the steering column that extends downward; then comes the steering gearbox, like the common rack-and-pinion setup, which converts rotational motion into left-right pushing; followed by the steering linkage, including tie rods and end joints, connecting to the steering knuckle to turn the wheels. Nowadays, everything comes with power assistance, such as electric motors, making steering effortless and precise. I remember the old days without power steering—parking required full-body strength. On the safety front, I always check the tie rod ends for any play, replacing them if worn to avoid high-speed loss of control. Regular maintenance and lubrication of components are a must—never to be neglected.
