Chapter 40 - Front axle and steering mechanism

Abstract

This chapter deals with the front axle and the steering mechanism of a car. The function of the steering system is to provide a means whereby the driver can place his vehicle accurately on the road and to keep the vehicle stably on course regardless of irregularities in the surface over which the vehicle is traveling. For the achievement of these basic aims, the first requirement is that, when the vehicle is traveling very slowly, all the wheels shall roll truly, that is, without any lateral slip. Unless both the front and rear wheels are to be steered- impracticable on grounds of complexity, except in special circumstances, such as on vehicles having more than eight wheels, in which it may be virtually inescapable the common center must lie somewhere along the lines of the axis produced of the fixed rear axle. The chapter also discusses that the actual steering is usually effected by a connecting link, called a drag link, between the steering gear and either what is termed the steering arm on the adjacent stub axle assembly or, in some instances, part of the track rod system.