Do you know how the car turns left and right so smoothly just by rotating the steering wheel? How does it work you ask? In short, plåtbearbetning steering! Let’s simplify it and break it down. The system has a long metal bar, called a "rack," attached to your car's front wheels. Along with the rack, there is a small gear known as a “pinion,” which attaches to your steering wheel. To the left or to the right is when you turn your steering wheel, this pinion gear spins. That's how a tipping gives a gear rotation to the rack that eventually gets transferred to your car's wheels, turning them in the desired direction. It is a smart solution to help drivers steer their vehicles smoothly!
Now let’s take a look at how rack and pinion steering works when you’re on the road. Although it is circular, it does not have identical arrangement for the complete circle. This turning motion causes the rack to move back and forth. A set of rods known as tie rods transfer motion from the rack to the front wheels of the car. The steering rack has teeth on its top and bottom that mesh perfectly with teeth on the pinion gear. So when you turn the steering wheel, the pinion gear turns and moves the rack, which turns the wheels in the direction you want them to go. It’s quite a clever system that allows you to dictate the direction your car takes!
As with all areas of your vehicle, the rack and pinion steering system can experience some issues as well over time. A common problem is a leak in the power steering system. A leak can cause steering to feel or stiffer or heavy when you turn the wheel. A loud whining sound when you turn the wheel may also be present, which can be bothersome. Typically the fix for such an issue is replacing or repairing both the power steering pump and the associated hoses to it.
Another problem we can encounter is wear on the steering rack or tie rods. As time goes by this will wear and/or damage these parts. When that occurs, the steering can feel loose or “sloppy,” which makes it more difficult to control the car. Your tires might wear unevenly as well, and this isn’t good for your car either. Thankfully, the usual fix is simply to replace the worn parts to get your vehicle steering properly again.
Installing a rack and pinion requires removing the old parts of your car's steering system, including the steering column and tie rods. Next, you can install the new rack and pinion assembly. Due to how tricky and complicated this installation process can get, it is usually best left to the professionals. They have the right tools and the expertise to get the work done safely and properly.