Chapter X - Steering mechanism

The steering mechanism has the role of changing the direction of travel achieved by maneuvering the front wheels of the car, namely by changing the rotation plane of the front wheels, which describe concentric circles around a point called the turning center.

Components of the steering system:

- steering wheel: is mounted on the steering column, which transmits the movement to the steering box. In the steering box the rack is translated according to the rotation direction of the steering wheel (to the left or to the right). At the ends of the rack are mounted the steering rods, which transmit the steering movement to the wheels through the steering knuckles;

- steering column: is a component of the steering system and is composed of:

• steering shaft: connecting element between the steering wheel and the steering box, articulated with one or two universal joints;
• mounting system: the element that allows the firm fastening of the steering shaft to the bodywork, keeping the freedom of rotation of the shaft through two bearings.

- steering box: is the main component of the steering system, which transforms the rotation movement of the steering shaft into left-right translation movement. This movement is transmitted mechanically through a toothed rack;

- steering rods: are connecting elements and have the role of transmitting the movement from the steering box to the wheel steering elements.