Automobile Engineering | Explain with neat sketch construction and working of rack and pinion steering gear box.

Working:

• The rack-and-pinion steering box has a pinion, connected to the steering column. 
• This pinion runs in mesh with a rack that is connected to the steering tie rods. Both the pinion and the rack teeth are helical gears. Helical gearing gives smoother and quieter operation for the driver.  
• Turning the steering wheel rotates the pinion, and moves the rack from side to side. 
• Ball joints at the end of the rack locate the tie-rods and allow movement in the steering and suspension. 
• Mechanical advantage is gained by the reduction ratio. 
• The value of this ratio depends on the size of the pinion. 
• A small pinion gives light steering, but it requires many turns of the steering wheel to travel from lock, to lock. 
• A large pinion means the number of turns of the steering column is reduced, but the steering is heavier to turn.