Steering System

Your power steering system requires that you maintain the proper fluid levels at their optimum levels at all times. If you over fill the fluid, you create excess pressure in your steering mechanism which decreases horsepower and increases that likelihood that you will damage your power steering pump. If levels are too low, you create friction drag in your steering mechanism which also decreases horsepower and could lead to damaging your power steering pump.

You can have a mechanic check the fluid level next time you take you car for a tune up or oil change, or you can do it yourself at home. There are many different types of steering fluids on the market, with many claiming to have different chemical compositions that make them more effective than other brands. The best way to choose the right power steering fluid for your vehicle is to consult the owner’s manual that came with your vehicle to see what it recommends. If you can’t find that information, try contacting the car manufacturer to ask what they recommend. A final option is to consult your local auto repair shop and ask what the best fluid for your vehicle is.

The rack and pinion steering linkage is comprised of seven basic parts depending on how you count the components. They are the steering wheel, steering shaft, pinion, rack, tie rod, control arm and wheel. These parts form a mechanical extension from your arm input to the wheel. When you turn to the right, each step of this mechanical system reacts in kind until the front wheels turn the direction you wish to go. Let’s take a closer look.

We’ll start at the top – the steering wheel. When you turn the steering wheel, you are really turning the shaft. The steering shaft runs into the engine compartment. At this point, it connects to the pinion. The pinion is a metal bar with a gear on the end of it. The pinion slots into the rack. The rack runs horizontal between the tires and has grooves matching those on the pinion gear. When the steering wheel is turned by you, the shaft turns and the pinion does as well. As the pinion gear moves, it pushes or pulls the rack to the left or right and that turns the tires in or out.