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17

STEERING SYSTEM

 

The role of the steering system is to maintain the straight ahead motion of the vehicle and if necessary change the vehicle’s path of motion without excess effort. In addition steering systems are required to have what is known as a self centering action (the steering wheel returns to its initial position if released) to make maneuvering easier. All modern vehicles (with very few exceptions) use a mechanism known as “rack and pinion” to make steering possible. In addition to the rack and pinion, steering systems incorporate a steering assist system which can be either electric, hydraulic or in some cases a combination of both. Parts of the rack and pinion mechanism can fail such as ball joints. The hydraulic system may be subject to leaks or failures. Electric systems may fail too from time to time.  However the most common type of wears of this system are ball joint failures and leaks. 

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