Steering Subsystems
The steering system mechanism permits the driver to guide the truck along the rod and turn right or left as desired. The steering mechanism includes the steering wheel which the driver regulates the steering gear which converts the rotary motion of the wheel into straight line motion.
Steering Column
The steering wheel rotates the steering column and the steering box is fitted to end of this column. Therefore when the steering wheel is rotated the rotary motion is transmitted through upper column shaft to various other intermediate shaft and finally to upper input shaft.
The main body parts included in the Steering Column is shown in the below image:
The body parts included in the Pitman Arm Steering are explained below:
- Tierod
- The tie rod transmits force from the steering center link to the steering knuckle and this action will cause the wheel to turn.
- Wormshaft
- It is a gear consisting of a shaft with screw thread that meshes with a toothed wheel. Worm shaft and worm gear together constitute a worm drive.
- Pitman Arm
- It is one of the main steering component. One end of the pitman arm is attached to the steering box, where gears are placed that convert the steering wheel's rotation into lateral movement. The other end is connected to the track rod, which invokes the idler arm to amplify the horizontal displacement. The track rod links to tie rods on either side of the vehicle, which make the wheels to turn.
- Drag Link
- Drag Link connects the pitman arm to the steering arm and in turn to the tie rod which invokes the wheels to turn.