What steering gear is used in sedans?
2 Answers
There are three types of steering gears used in automobiles: rack and pinion, worm and roller, and recirculating ball. The automobile steering gear can amplify the force transmitted from the steering wheel to the steering linkage and change the direction of force transmission. Rack and Pinion Steering Gear: It is the most common type of steering gear. Its basic structure consists of a pair of meshing pinion and rack. When the steering shaft drives the pinion to rotate, the rack moves in a straight line. Sometimes, the rack directly drives the tie rod to steer the wheels. Recirculating Ball Steering Gear: The recirculating ball power steering system mainly consists of two parts: mechanical and hydraulic. The advantages of this steering gear are easy operation, low wear, and long service life. Worm and Roller Steering Gear: This steering gear uses a worm as the driving part and a roller as the driven part. The worm has a trapezoidal thread, and the finger-like tapered pin is supported by bearings on the roller. The roller and the steering rocker arm shaft are integrated. During steering, the worm is rotated by the steering wheel, and the tapered pin embedded in the worm's spiral groove rotates on its own while moving in an arc around the steering rocker arm shaft, driving the roller and the steering pitman arm to swing, which then turns the wheels through the steering linkage.
The primary steering mechanism used in sedans is the rack-and-pinion type, which dominates modern sedans due to its compact structure, responsive handling, and enhanced driving precision. Having driven numerous cars, I’ve noticed that the rack-and-pinion system directly transmits steering input to the wheels via the steering column, saving space. It’s often paired with Electric Power Steering (EPS), where an electric motor assists, eliminating the need for older hydraulic systems and reducing maintenance hassles. Of course, some older models still use recirculating-ball steering, but those are more common in trucks or SUVs—sedans have largely upgraded. When driving, I find the steering feedback smooth, whether navigating city turns or maintaining stability at high speeds. Engineers have optimized these components to elevate the overall driving experience.
