STEERING SYSTEM

Steering system provides the directional change in the movement of an Automobile and
maintain in a position as per the driver’s decision without much strain on him.. This system
converts rotary movement of the steering wheel into angular movement of the front wheels. It
multiplies driver’s effort by mechanical advantage, enabling him to turn the wheels easily.

REQUIREMENTS 0F A GOOD STERING SYSTEM

For proper and smooth operation and performance of the system, the steering system of any
vehicle should fulfil the following requirements:

 The steering mechanism should be very accurate and easy to handle.

 The effort required to steer should be minimum and must not be tiresome to the driver.
 The steering mechanism should also provide the directional stability. This implies that
the vehicle should have tendency to return to its straight ahead position after turning.
 It should provide pure rolling motion to wheel.
 It should be designed in such a manner that road shocks are not transmitted to driver.

FUNCTIONS OF THE STEERING SYSTEM ARE AS FOLLOWS:

a) It helps in swinging the wheels to the left or right.

b) It helps in turning the vehicle at the will of the driver.
c) It provides directional stability.
d) It helps in controlling wear and tear of tyres.
e) It helps in achieving the self-rightening effect.
f) It converts the rotary movement of the steering wheel into an angular turn of the front
wheels.
g) It multiplies the effort of the driver by leverage in order to make it fairly easy to turn the
wheels.
h) It absorbs a major part of the road shocks thereby preventing them to get transmitted to the
hands of the driver.

MAIN COMPONENTS OF STEERING SYSTEM:

The following are the main components of steering system:

 Steering Wheel
 Steering column or shaft
 Steering Gear
 Drop Arm or Pitman Arm
 Drag Link
 Steering Arm
 Track-Arms
 Track Rod or Tie-Rod
 Adjusting Scre ws

TYPES OF STEERING GEAR BOXES:

 Worm and Wheel Steering Gear box
 Worm and Roller Steering Gear box
 Re-circulating Ball type Steering Gear
 Rack and Pinion type Steering Gear box
 Cam and Peg Steering Gear box
 Cam and Double lever Steering Gear box
 Worm and Sector Type Steering Gear box
STEERING SYSTEM GEAR MECHANISM
Their are two types of Steering gear mechanism –

 Fifth wheel steering system

 Side pivot steering system

Side pivot is further divided into two –

 Davis Steering Gear

 Ackerman Steering Gear

CAR WHEEL

Car wheel is a primary and basic part of any type of car or we can say that wheels are basic
part of any vehicle. We cannot imagine a vehicle without wheels. It is last part of
transmission line and final mover which finally move the vehicle/car. In this new ear,
technical advancement modified some parts of car like design, engine, clutches, gearbox etc.
Some of them have expired but car wheels are neither expired nor replaced. These are basic
need of a car.

A car wheel consist several parts and all of these parts work together to rotate and control the
wheel properly. All wheels’ parts primary function is to rotate and control the motion of
wheel which finally moves the vehicle.

A wheel is a circular part which is rotated by axle (driver axle) or rotates the axle (driven
axle).A wheel and axle assembly receives power from the engine and liable to move the
vehicle. Without these parts, a vehicle is nothing more than a showpiece.

A wheel consist many parts which perform different function and finally provide a
comfortable ride to its passengers.

CAR WHEELS PARTS:

 Wheel Bearing
 Tire
 Wheel Rims
 Wheel Hub
 Flanges
 Barrel
 Bolt circle
 Outer Lip
 Wheel Fasteners
 Center Bore
 Valve System
 Spokes
 Center Gap
 Beads
 Lug Hole

Wheel Bearing: car wheel bearing

A bearing is a machine element which reduce friction between two moving parts and to
support rotating parts. It also bears thrust and radial load. There are various types of bearings
like hydro static bearing, hydrodynamic bearing, anti friction bearing etc. In a wheel assembly
anti friction bearings are provided to support rotating axle and to connect it with wheel hub.
There are many types of anti friction bearings like ball bearing, roller bearing, needle bearing,
thrust bearing etc. According to the load requirements, different anti-friction bearings are
used in different vehicles. The manufactures select these bearings according various
parameters like kind to loads, load taking capacity, maximum vehicle speed, spare available
etc.

These all bearings contain three fundamental components: inner race, outer race and rolling
element (Roller, Balls etc.). The inner race is attached to the axle and outer race to the wheel
hub. Wheel hub is fixed at the center of the wheel. The primary function of wheel bearing is
to reduce friction and provide stability to the vehicle while the wheel spins.

Wheel Rims: car wheel rim

Wheel rims or we can say rims is the middle part of car wheel which connect wheel hub to the
tire. Sometimes people confuse between the rim and wheel and thick both are same thing but
it is not.

A wheel rim is a a part of car wheel which make a connection between tire and hub, carry
wheel cover and other customized fancy items.

Generally wheel rims are cylindrical in shape and its barrels create surface for a tire to be
mounted. In conventional tires, tube is secured between tire and rim but in new generation
tubeless tires, there is no tube and the rim and tire must be sealed properly which resist any
leakage of air.

Commonly rims are made of stamped alloy steel which provides proper strength to car wheel.
All weight of car is to be carried by the wheel so the manufactures of rims make sure its
proper strength. In this new technological ear, light weighted aluminum alloy or other light
weight alloy materials are also using by the manufactures.

The width and size of tire determine by the size of rim. Some of car owners uses custom rims
which make their car look different and also can change their car’s tire size. These custom
rims are sometimes colored with different colors, chrome platted and equipped with other
decorative parts. These rims cost higher. owners uses custom rims which make their car look
different and also can change their car’s tire size. These custom rims are sometimes color
with different colors, chrome platted and equipped with other decorative parts. These rims
cost higher compare to the original one.

The rim is bolted to the hub by means of bolt. The center part of the rim is stamped to attach
with the wheel hub. Wheel cover is attached to rim. Now days wire rims are replaced by alloy
rims.

Tires: car tire

Tire is a part of car wheel which is in direct contact with road. It is attached with rim and
carries the vehicle weight. It transmits traction force to the road surface which enables the car
to move forward. Tire material is chosen such that there is a required friction between road
and tire.

The surface of tire is design with some special thread pattern, notches and grooves. These
designs provide required friction force which controls the movement of vehicle on the
ground.

Another function of tire is to provide suspension and reduce shock during running. For this
purpose, tire is made by a Cushioning material like rubber, which can absorb shock when the
car moves on rough terrains. It is also filled with compressed air which increases its shock
absorbing capacity.
Tires are available in different size. Its specification is found on sidewalls of tires. It is
designate like 245/75R16. The first number 245 describe the width of tire in millimeter. The
other number 75 indicate the height of tire which is 75% more than its width. R is a symbol
which shows the manufacturing method. R stands for radial. The last number 16 shows that
this tire will fit on 15 inch diameter wheel.

Wheel Hub:
Wheel hub assembly or sometimes referred as wheel hub or wheel assembly is an important
component of the vehicle where the wheel is attached. It allows the wheel to turn freely. This
assembly is mounted on the axle and rotates with it. The center hole is used to mount the hub
to the axle. This hub is placed between the brake drums or disk and the axle. The brake pads
apply the braking force against the hub which insure that the vehicle brakes.

There are many other holes are there which is used to connect wheel rim and wheel plate by
use of fasteners. These holes are commonly known as lug holes.

Wheel Fasteners:
Wheel fasteners are used for mounting the rim to the hub or axle. Mainly studs are used as
wheel fasteners. Studs are different from bolt with threaded on both end. One end of it is fixed
into the wheel hub and other is used to mount wheel rim on the axle. The head of the studs is
wider than the hole in the hub which prevents the hole coming out properly. Lug nuts are used
to fix rim on the hub. Lug nuts tightened into cross or star pattern. It reduces wheel flexing
and shifting. For cross pattern tightening first tight the one corner nut and then tight across
one and so one this minimize the chance of wheel flexion.

Valve System: car wheel valve system

Value system is used for the purpose of keeping the air pressure inside the tire and refills it
when required. The tire pressure monitoring system is also attached to the valve mechanism
which update the driver with all tire pressure individually. It is useful for maintaining tire
pressure and allows inflation and deflation.

Barrels:
Barrels are a part of wheel which provides a surface to on which tire is mounted. It is hollow
cylindrical in shape and lies between the face and inner rim. The barrel inner diameter is
known as drop center which influence the type of mounted wheel.

Bolt circle:
Bolt circle is an imaginary circle which creates by the lug bolt. It is expressed by the number
of lug bolt. It has special characteristic in design which adds by the manufacture which makes
it difficult to create cross fit wheel for other manufactures.

Flanges:
Flanges are used to connect the wheels (hub and rim) to the axle. These are located on both
end of the wheel which keeps the tire held on its position in extreme condition. It is mounted
with the help of lug nut.

Center Bore:
It is the area of wheel which keeps the wheel properly in center and reduces vibrations
generated by uneven balancing. It is an empty area that goes over the axle and supports the
weight of vehicle. It fits on the hub collar and the wheel fit over it which makes a proper fit.

Lug Holes:
It is holes with bolt circle on the center disc. Lug nuts are bolted on these holes. With the help
of lug nut and lug holes, wheel hub fastens to the vehicle axle. It may be round or conical in
shape.
RIM

The rims fitted in a car have a lot of contributions to make more than you may think. They are
not just there for aesthetics; they have their contributions towards safety and performance –
balance.

A rim makes up the outer circular design of the wheel on which the inside edge of the tire is
mounted on vehicle. There are various types of rims out there, the one you pick matters a lot.
When making the choice of which of the rims to go for, always have safety in mind. After
safety, financial budget.

Your choice of rim will have significance in the performance and handling of your vehicle
and also the total appearance of your vehicle.

The primary materials used in the production of these rims vary and that’s what distinguishes
one type of rim from another. Steel is one of the primary material for making standard rims.

FOUR TYPES OF RIMS SEEN IN CARS

1. Steel Rims:
This is the most common of all the rims. It is also the cheapest and it often being referred to
as factory fitted rims. It is among the strongest of all the rim types. On the other hand, their
weight is something else; they are heavy. They are not very pleasing to the eyes when
compared to the rest of the rim types.

Hardly will you see someone that wants steel rims in their new car these days. Another hack
invoke is using wheel cover on them. The wheel cover will disguise them to look like alloy
rims until you take a close look.

People are dumping it to take up the lighter and more appealing counterparts. The steel wheel
is up to 80% cheaper when compared to other rims.
steel rim.

2. Alloy Rims:
Alloy rims are next in line. They are taking over from the steel rims. Alloy rims are made
from aluminum or magnesium or both. They have less weight when compared to steel rims.
This less weight is a good thing for the driver; you get faster acceleration and minimum stop
motion.

Another good side of alloy rims is there will be less strain on the suspension of your car.
Alloy rims add much to the good look of a car. Changing the rims of a car from steel to alloy
can bring out more beauty in the car than you ever imagined.

3. Chrome Rims:
The chrome rims are not as common as the alloy and steel rims. The chrome rims are well
known for its shinny appearance.

Chrome rims are mainly used for its aesthetics and not performance. Chrome rims are easily
scratched and you won’t love them once they start getting old.
chrome rim.

4. Spinners:
This was very prominent in the 90s. Spinners were popularly called “spinning wheels“. We
always saw them in music videos and foreign movies. They have no business with the better
performance of your car; just aesthetics.
The rims will spin as the car moves and will continue for a while after the car stops.

CLASSES OF TYRES

In general there are two classes of, according to the presence or absence of tubes in them.
Thus they are called tubeless tyres and tubed tyres respectively, furthermore based on
construction or skeleton of tyres know as carcas, tyres are classified as cross-ply, radial and
belted-bias ply. However, the majority of the tyres used nowadays belong to the class of
radial tubeless tyres.

Tubed Tyres or Tubulars

Tubed tyres have an inner tube that is completely enclosed by the tire casing, which is
stitched together at the base. The tyre is glued to the rim. The benefit to tubulars is highly
refined ride quality and broadly speaking, the weight and rolling resistance. The downsides
are flats (with no easy fix) and tricky installation.

SCHEMATIC DIADRAM OF A TUBED TYRE

Tubeless Tyres
Tubeless tyres feature the same general cross-section as a conventional tubed tyre, but
without an inner tube. Instead, a layer in the tyre casing or liquid sealant is used make the tire
impermeable to air. The rim and tyre beads have different shape than convectional tubed
tyres, with interlocking profiles that form a seal under pressure. The rim bead is not the only
difference in the wheels themselves, because tubeless tyres hold air, the rim bead needs to be
sealed completely. Tubeless tyres also offer the availability to run lower air pressure for a
better grip and more comfortable ride, are much more resistant to flats, and the tyre is less
likely to separate from the rim if it goes flat.

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF A TUBELESS TYRE

TYRE CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN

There are two main types of tyre construction; cross-ply and radial

Cross-ply
Cross-ply tyres refer to the construction whereby nylon cords are crossed diagonally over
each other. These are then layered with thick rubber piles providing tough, rigid sidewalls.
Whilst cross-ply tyres are tough and provide a higher resistance against sidewall damage, they
also have a higher rolling resistance which can cause the tyres to heat up quickly increasing
the air pressure within the tyres.

Radial
As car designs evolved so did tyre technology and a more flexible tyre was developed known
as radial tyres. Radial tyres are constructed from cords which have been rubber bonded and
placed so they run across the circumference of the tyre. The radial piles are then covered by a
casing belt made up of cord or steel which is then covered by the rubber tread. Radial tyres
offer greater comfort, water and heat resistance and improved fuel economy.
FUNCTIONS OF A TYRE

Your vehicle needs to move, stop and turn without skidding or slipping. It is the tyres of your
vehicle that fulfil these functions. The design and construction of the tyres influence its
behavior on hard, deformed, wet and dry surfaces. Besides the gravitational and aerodynamic
forces, there are other major forces applied by the tyres that affect the motion of your vehicle.
Here are 5 basic functions that your tyres perform to keep you comfortable and safe on the
road.

1. Carry the weight of the vehicle

A tyre is like a rubber casing that holds air. The air that is filled in the tyre is responsible for
carrying the weight of the vehicle. A vehicle’s weight moves around the roll center when the
vehicle is braking, accelerating, turning or moving forward. For e.g., when brakes are applied
as hard as possible, the front suspension gets compressed and a lot of the vehicle’s weight is
shifted to the front tyres. Similarly, when you accelerate the weight is shifted to the rear tyres.
The weight bearing ability of the tyres depends on the air pressure that is filled in it.
Therefore, air is the most important ingredient when it comes to safety and handling
performance. A tyre filled with the right air pressure provides good traction and handling.
Hence always maintain optimum air pressure in all four tyres and for added benefits you
could also go for nitrogen inflation instead of normal air for your tyres.

2. Propel the vehicle without skidding

The tyre is designed to move the vehicle forward. The mechanics of the tyre on a wet surface
is different than the mechanics on a dry surface. The tyre tackles different temperatures and
road conditions to push the vehicle in the desired direction. Good quality tyres that have the
recommended tread depth grip the road better and help the vehicle move without skidding.

3. Provide cushioning to the vehicle against road shock

Road imperfections such as potholes, bumps, cracks etc. contribute to a bumpy ride. Tyres
that are in a perfect condition provide a smoother driving experience on rough patches. As the
vehicle moves through the irregular surfaces of the road, various systems such as the
suspension, shock absorbers, the wheel etc. get affected. But it is the tyre that absorbs the
impact first. While dealing with the various forces that act on the vehicle, the tyres also help
in absorbing and damping the shocks.

4. Enables vehicle to change direction and turn without slipping

The wheels of your vehicle change direction as you steer the steering wheel. This enables
your vehicle to move in the direction that you want. It is the tyres that help your vehicle
remain stable as the vehicle changes its trajectory. Along with tyre quality, tread depth, tread
pattern, the air pressure in the tyres plays an important role in maintaining vehicle stability
while turning.

5. Transmit acceleration, braking and cornering forces to the ground

While a car’s performance is very often judged on how effective its acceleration, braking,
handling and cornering is, the fact is, it is the tyre that is responsible for accomplishing the
desired performance from the vehicle.The tyre generates and transmits the physical forces
such as acceleration, braking and cornering to the road surface. The friction between the tyres
and the road is what makes it possible to transmit these forces to the ground.

Besides performing these important functions, tyres play a crucial role in improving fuel
efficiency, providing grip on wet and dry roads, ride comfort, handling stability and offering a
quiet and smooth ride. They are the most important part of your vehicle when it comes to
safety. And this is reason enough for them to deserve regular maintenance and care.

EFFECTS OF OVER-INFLATION/UNDERLOADING OF TYRES

(i) Reduces cushioning power of the tyre.
(ii) The tyre is more susceptible to impact, penetrations and abrasion.
(iii) Reduced road-tyre contact.
(iv) Negatively affects the handling characteristics of vehicle (excessive centre wear).

EFFECTS OF UNDER-INFLATION/OVERLOADING OF TIRES

(i) This is the biggest single case of “burst” tyres.
(ii) Under-inflation causes excessive flexing of the tyre sidewall which leads to
overheating and ultimately, causing break-up and tread separation.
(iii) Reduced tyre-road contact leads to poor handling and faster wear (excessive shoulder
wear).

BASIC RULES FOR TYRE SAFETY

(1) Tyres should always be replaced with same size designations as recommended by te
vehicle or tyre manufacturer.
(2) Tyre brand, size and tread pattern must be same on each axle.
(3) All four tyres should be of same size, speed rating and construction (radial or cross -
ply).
(4) Guard against used tyre imports, many of which are beyond retreading but retreaded
and sold illicitly.
(5) When two radial tyres are used wit two cross-ply, put the radials on the rear axle. In
some cases (especially commercial vehicles), the manufacturer might recommend
different-sized tyres for the front and wear axis.
(6) Never assume that the tyres on your vehicle are correct, even if you have newly
purchased it. Unless you bought new from an authorized dealer, your vehicle may
already be fitted with potentially lethal tryes.