Steering

Steering is the collection of components, linkages, etc. which allows any vehicle (car, bicycle, ship, aircraft, etc.) to follow the desired course. An exception is the case of rail transport by which rail tracks combined together with railroad switches (and also known as 'points' in British English) provide the steering function.

History[edit | edit source]

The term steering comes from the Old Norse word stýri, which means a part in the ship used for its direction. Steering wheels were first used in ships. With the development of technology, steering systems have evolved and are now used in cars, trucks, buses, and other land vehicles.

Types of Steering Systems[edit | edit source]

There are three main types of steering systems: manual, power, and four-wheel steering.

Manual Steering[edit | edit source]

Manual steering is the simplest and oldest type of steering. The driver uses their physical effort to turn the wheels.

Power Steering[edit | edit source]

Power steering uses a system of hydraulic or electric actuators to aid in steering. The system allows the driver to guide the vehicle with less effort than manual steering.

Four-Wheel Steering[edit | edit source]

Four-wheel steering is a system that allows the rear wheels to turn at a certain angle relative to the front wheels. This system improves maneuverability and reduces the turning radius.

Steering Components[edit | edit source]

The main components of a steering system include the steering wheel, steering column, steering gear, and steering linkage. These components work together to control the direction of the vehicle.

Steering Wheel[edit | edit source]

The steering wheel is the part of the steering system that the driver manipulates to guide the vehicle.

Steering Column[edit | edit source]

The steering column is a shaft that connects the steering wheel to the steering gear.

Steering Gear[edit | edit source]

The steering gear is a device that converts the rotational motion of the steering wheel into linear motion to turn the wheels.

Steering Linkage[edit | edit source]

The steering linkage is a system of rods, links, and arms that transmit motion from the steering gear to the wheels.

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