Regular birth of various engineering innovations transport mechanisms makes the driver's life safer and more comfortable. Moreover, over the long years of the development of mechanical engineering, changes have affected absolutely all components of the car. Such a fate did not pass and, as a system. It will be discussed in this article. But first, let's remember what it actually is and what it is for.

What is a car control system?

So, steering is one of the most important systems of a car, designed to set the desired direction. The steering gear and drive are the only elements of the system on which all its work is based. The mentioned components, in turn, also include some details, but we will talk about them a little later. For now, a little history.

History of technology development

The history of the automotive industry has three periods in which there was an abrupt development of steering.

by the most first type automotive management it was worm, which received its name due to the worm gear, which is part of the steering column. And it looked like this: the efforts applied to make a turn by the steering wheel were transferred to worm gear columns, he, in turn, made the gear rotate, and she acted on the steering arm. The bipod itself influenced the operation of the hubs and levers, which eventually directed the wheels in the right direction. Previously, this mechanism was quite common, and most often such steering was used in models and BMWs.

The list of parts that make up the worm control system includes the following elements:

• steering wheel;
• column;
• shaft and cross;
• traction.

Then the rack and pinion came out to the masses steering gear . The principle of its operation is as follows: rotating, wheel acts on such a part as a gear, and it sets in motion steering rack. The rail also, in turn, actuates a lever, the tip of which is inserted into the hub. Here he rotates it. The rack system consists of:

• steering wheel;
• shaft;
• tip;
• slats.

Such a steering device required some effort to control during the ride. But here the history of the automotive industry has prepared a new surprise for drivers. The fact is that the designers came up with a way that allows you to drive the machine with little or no physical effort. And it consisted in installing various ones in a vehicle. There are several types of such devices:

• Hydraulic boosters. Here, the steering consists of a hydraulic pump (driven by the car engine), a hose system, and a fluid tank. The pump pumps liquid into the body of the car rack, which, when the steering wheel is stationary, circulates through the system. If the steering wheel is spinning, then the fluid begins to put pressure on the rail in the direction of rotation. Thus, the mechanism helps the driver turn with minimal effort;
• Electric amplifiers. And with such an amplifier it works with the help of an electric motor, which is directly connected to the steering rack or shaft. The control of the electric amplifier, in this case, electronic unit. In addition, such a system can apply different forces to the steering wheel. For this, it is also called adaptive;
• Hydroelectric boosters. In this case steering the principle of operation is very similar to the hydraulic booster system. The only thing, in this case, the pump rotates with the help of an electric motor, and not the engine of the machine;
• Pneumatic amplifiers. A system with such a mechanism is also identical in principle to its operation with a system with a hydraulic booster. But here the fluid in the steering rack is replaced with compressed air;

Another option for which machine control (as a system) has been popular in the automotive industry recently can be called a screw version. Its working principle is similar to worm device. Here, along the screw thread of the steering shaft, a gear rack with a thread inside descends. It is the teeth of this rack that make the steering compartment work, and he - the bipod. Then everything looks like in a worm system. The screw system consists of:

• steering wheel;
• traction;
• columns;
• toothed rack.

This is the future

Today, an active system is widely used, with the help of which, one might say, the development of steering has reached its zenith today. The constant development of technology has already made it possible today to obtain not only the technology of adaptive steering, where the steering force depends on the speed of the car, but also other options that make life easier for motorists. These include, for example, the active control system from (Active Front Steering or AFS). And if we consider her work, we can say that, in fact, everything is ingeniously simple, but very reliable.

The active system is in many ways similar to the rack and pinion control mechanism, but when the steering wheel moves, the planetary mechanism rotates. He drives the steering rack. Among the components of such a mechanism are the following:

• steering wheel;
• rail with electric motor and planetary gear;
• tips and rods;
• Control block.

In the case of using an active system, the car can "steer" a little on its own. Literally seven or eight degrees. But this only happens if there is an electronics team for that, the program for which can be changed independently if necessary. This will help not to make the car sharp jerks cornering at low speed and too smooth at high speed. Also, to avoid uneven and abrupt behavior of the machine in high speed mode, engineers provided the system with the ability to gradually reduce the activity of the electric motor device. Among other things, electronic control with the possibility of adaptation allows the driver not to be afraid that the vehicle will “interfere” with the ride, and not vice versa.

The “active steering” system was widely spread back in 1997 and still occupies one of the main places in terms of safety among the auxiliary mechanisms and devices of a car.

And it is clear that the automotive industry will not stand still. In addition, the car can be equipped with such a "smart" assistant as electronic program stabilization (ESP) or its improved version of ESP Premium. This mechanism works in especially dangerous driving situations when control of the vehicle has already been lost or is in danger. The stabilization of the movement is achieved here by braking individual wheels and reducing engine speed. Moreover, such a system works in any mode of movement and high-speed mode.

The main unit in any vehicle is the steering. What is steering control for? For all the time of improving the design of the system, the basic principle of the steering has remained the same. It consists in the transformation and transfer of the physical effort of the driver during the impact on the steering wheel of the car on the wheels. In other words, the steering assembly provides feedback, allowing you to change the trajectory of the vehicle.

Steering device

What is the steering of a car? General device the design of this unit on vehicles is represented by the following elements:

• wheels;
• steering gear;
• steering mechanism;
• traction and column.

The scheme of interaction of the steering wheel of the car with the leading wheelset is not complicated. The driver through the drive transmits the force to the steering mechanism, which ensures the rotation of the wheels. In addition, the node, providing feedback, provides information about the state pavement. According to the vibrations of the steering wheel, the type of movement is determined as accurately as possible, on the basis of which diagnostics are carried out and the control of the machine is corrected.

The average diameter of the steering wheel of a passenger car is approximately 400 mm. in cargo and special equipment the steering wheel is somewhat larger, and less in sports cars.

What is included in steering?

Between the steering wheel and the mechanism is located steering column, which is represented by a strong shaft with articulated joints. A design feature of the column is the minimum risk of injury to the driver in the event of an accident, since with a strong head-on collision collapse occurs. For comfortable operation vehicle, the position of the steering column is adjusted using a mechanical or electric drive. In addition, a mechanism locking system is provided, which helps prevent car theft.

The main purpose of steering is to increase the mechanical effort of the driver and its transmission to the wheels. For this, a special gearbox is included in the design of the system. On the passenger cars mobiles mainly use the following types of steering:

1. The rack mechanism, the design of which consists of a set of gears mounted on a shaft, aggregated with a rack, special teeth are applied on one of its planes along the entire length. When the steering wheel is rotated, the force is transmitted through the column to the steering rack, as a result of which it moves freely, interacting with the steering rods and turning the wheels. It should be noted that the steering of a car may have a rack on which teeth with variable pitch are located. This design greatly improves the driving efficiency of the vehicle.
2. Worm gear. Its principle of operation is as follows: the “worm”, when interacting with the driven gear, transfers the force to the bipod. In turn, the steering bipod interacts with one of the rods, the end of which ends with a pendulum lever. This lever is mounted on a support. When the steering wheel is turned, the bipod drives the side link simultaneously with the middle lever, which interacts with the second side link and changes its position. Thanks to this, the hubs of the steered wheels are rotated.

Some features of the steering of the car

Most modern models road transport have an innovative four-wheel steering system. This significantly improves the dynamics of the vehicle on terrain with difficult terrain. In addition, the steering of the car adapted to all wheels allows you to achieve greater maneuverability when driving fast. This is possible due to the rotation of each of the wheels.

It is noteworthy that in the steering wheel steering can be carried out by the system in passive mode. This is possible due to the presence of special elastic rubber-metal parts in the design of the rear part of the suspension. When body roll occurs due to a change in the magnitude and direction of the load, a change in the direction of movement is carried out. Steering with steering function rear wheels allows you to effectively distribute the effort to turn all the wheels. In addition, such a system does not allow turning the wheels when the suspension is active.

into construction adaptive system steering includes hinges and traction. The hinge has several elements in its composition; for ease of use, its design is presented in the form of a removable tip. It is most convenient to represent the kinematic scheme of the steering of a car in the idea of ​​a rectangle, on each side of which there are:

• shoulders;
• convergence angle;
• collapse;
• longitudinal and transverse slope.

Shoulders, longitudinal and transverse inclination provide stabilization of movement, while other parameters are in constant opposition. Therefore, another task of the steering is to stabilize all the forces that arise in the process of movement.

The role of power steering in the steering system

This element, in addition to reducing the effort applied by the driver to the steering wheel, can significantly increase the accuracy of driving. Due to the presence of an amplifier in the steering design, it became possible to use elements in the system that have a small relative ratio. Control system amplifiers are divided into three types:

1. Electric.
2. Pneumatic.
3. Hydraulic.

However, the latter type is more common. Hydraulics is characterized by reliable design and smooth operation, but requires Maintenance for fluid replacement. Electric power steering is less common, but most models of modern automotive technology are equipped with it. Reinforcement provides electric drive. Note that electronic control is distinguished by the presence of an extended range of features, but occasionally requires verification and adjustment.

What is automatic steering?

One of promising developments in the automotive industry is intelligent system automatic control vehicles. It can be said that the autopilot described by most science fiction writers in their works has now become a reality. Today modern automotive technology able to perform most actions without the participation of the driver, the most common of which is parking.

The leader in the production of vehicles equipped with this innovative system is German concern BMW, which actively uses on its model range double planetary gearbox. The control of such a gearbox is carried out using an electric drive, as a result of which, together with a change in the speed of the vehicle, it is possible to change the relative ratio when the force is transferred from the steering wheel to the swivel wheels. Thanks to this technical solution speed is significantly increased, and the most accurate Feedback.

One of the main systems that ensure the safety of movement in a car is steering. The purpose of the steering of the car is the ability to change the direction of movement, make turns and maneuvers when avoiding obstacles or overtaking. This component is as important as the braking system. Proof of this is the prescription of traffic rules, the operation of a car with faulty specified mechanisms is strictly prohibited.

Assembly features and design

On cars, a kinematic method of changing the direction of movement is used, which implies that the implementation of the turn occurs due to a change in the position of the steered wheels. Usually the front axle is controlled, although there are also cars with a so-called steering system. The peculiarity of working in such cars is that the wheels rear axle also rotate when changing direction, albeit at a smaller angle. But so far this system has not received wide distribution.

In addition to the kinematic method, the technique also uses power. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that to make a turn, the wheels of one side slow down, while on the other side they continue to move at the same speed. And although this method of changing direction on passenger cars has not received distribution, it is still used on them, but in a slightly different capacity - as a system of exchange rate stability.

This vehicle assembly consists of three main elements:

• steering column;
• steering gear;
• drive (system of rods and levers);

Steering knot

Each component has its own task.

Steering column

Performs the transfer of rotational force that the driver creates to change direction. It consists of a steering wheel located in the passenger compartment (the driver acts on it by rotating it). It is rigidly planted on the column shaft. In the device of this part of the steering, a shaft is often used, divided into several parts, interconnected by cardan joints.

This design is not just made. Firstly, it allows you to change the angle of the steering wheel relative to the mechanism, to shift it in a certain direction, which is often necessary when arranging constituent parts auto. In addition, this design allows you to increase the comfort of the cabin - the driver can change the position of the steering wheel in terms of reach and tilt, providing the most comfortable position.

Secondly, the composite steering column tends to “break” in the event of an accident, reducing the likelihood of injury to the driver. The bottom line is this - in a frontal impact, the engine can move back and push the steering mechanism. If the column shaft were solid, changing the position of the mechanism would lead to the output of the shaft with the steering wheel into the passenger compartment. In the case of a composite column, the movement of the mechanism will be accompanied by only a change in the angle of one component of the shaft relative to the second, and the column itself remains motionless.

Steering gear

Designed to convert the rotation of the steering column shaft into translational movements of the drive elements.

Most widespread in cars received gear-type mechanisms rack". Previously, another type was used - the “worm-roller”, which is now mainly used on trucks. Another option for trucks is "screw".

"pinion-rack"

The spread type "gear-rack" received due to relatively simple device steering mechanism. This structural assembly consists of three main elements - a housing in which a gear is placed and a rack perpendicular to it. Between the last two elements there is a permanent gearing.

This type of mechanism works like this: the gear is rigidly connected to the steering column, so it rotates with the shaft. Due to the gear connection, the rotation is transmitted to the rail, which, under such an impact, is displaced inside the housing in one direction or another. If the driver turns the steering wheel to the left, the interaction of the gear with the rack causes the latter to move to the right.

Often, gear-rack mechanisms with a fixed gear ratio are used on cars, that is, the range of rotation of the steering wheel to change the angle of the wheels is the same in all their positions. For example, suppose that to turn the wheels at an angle of 15° it is necessary to do 1 full turn steering wheel. So, no matter what position they are in steered wheels(extreme, rectilinear), to rotate at the specified angle, you will have to make 1 turn.

But some automakers install mechanisms with a changing gear ratio on their cars. Moreover, this is achieved quite simply - by changing the angle of the position of the teeth on the rail in certain areas. The effect of this refinement of the mechanism is as follows: if the wheels are straight, then it takes 1 turn to change their position by the same 15 ° (example). But if they are in the extreme position, then due to the changed gear ratio, the wheels will turn to the specified angle after half a turn. As a result, the end-to-end steering range is significantly less than in a fixed ratio mechanism.

Rack with variable gear ratio

In addition to the simplicity of the device, the type "gear-rack" is also used because in such a design it is possible to implement the actuators of the hydraulic booster (GUR) and electric booster (EUR), as well as electro-hydraulic (EGUR).

"worm-roller"

The next type, the "worm-roller", is less common and is now practically not used on passenger cars, although it can be found on VAZ cars of the classic family.

This mechanism is based on worm-gear. The worm is a screw with a special profile thread. This screw is located on the shaft connected to the steering column.

The thread of this worm is in contact with a roller connected to the shaft on which the bipod is mounted - a lever that interacts with the drive elements.

Worm gear

The essence of the mechanism is as follows: when the shaft rotates, the screw rotates, which leads to the longitudinal movement of the roller along its thread. And since the roller is mounted on the shaft, this displacement is accompanied by the rotation of the latter around its axis. This, in turn, leads to a semicircular movement of the bipod, which acts on the drive.

The “worm-roller” type mechanism on passenger cars was abandoned in favor of the “rack-and-pinion” due to the impossibility of integrating a hydraulic booster into it (it was still available on trucks, but actuating mechanism was rendered), as well as a rather complex drive design.

screw type

The design of the screw mechanism is even more complicated. It also has a threaded screw, but it is not in contact with the roller, but with special nut, on the outer side of which a toothed sector is applied, interacting with the same, but made on the bipod shaft. There are also mechanisms with intermediate rollers between the nut and the gear sector. The principle of operation of such a mechanism is almost identical to the worm - as a result of the interaction, the shaft turns and pulls the bipod, and that, in turn, is the drive.

Screw steering gear

A hydraulic booster can be installed on the screw mechanism (the nut acts as a piston), but it is not used on passenger cars due to the massive structure, which is why it is used only on trucks.

Drive unit

The drive in the steering design is used to transfer the movement of the rack or bipod to the steered wheels. Moreover, the task of this component is to change the position of the wheels at different angles. This is due to the fact that the wheels move along different radii when turning. Therefore, the wheel inside when changing the trajectory of movement, it should turn by a larger angle than the outer one.

The design of the drive depends on the mechanism used. So, if a “rack-gear” is used on a car, then the drive consists of only two rods connected to the steering knuckle (the role of which is played by suspension strut) by means of a ball head.

These rods can be attached to the rail in two ways. Less common is their rigid fixation by bolting (in some cases, the connection is made through a silent block). For such a connection, a longitudinal window has been made in the body of the mechanism.

A more common method of connecting rods is a rigid but movable connection to the ends of the rail. To ensure such a connection, a ball tip is made at the end of both rods. By means of a nut, this ball is pressed against the rail. When the latter moves, the rod changes its position, which provides the existing connection.

In drives where the "worm-roller" mechanism is used, the design is much more complicated and is a whole system of levers and rods, called the steering trapezoid. So, for example, on the VAZ-2101, the drive consists of two side rods, one middle one, a pendulum lever and knuckles with levers. At the same time, to ensure the possibility of changing the angle of the wheel position, the steering knuckle is attached to the suspension arms using two ball bearings (upper and lower).

A large number of constituent elements, as well as the connections between them, makes this type of drive more prone to wear and play. This fact is another reason for abandoning the worm gear in favor of the rack and pinion.

"Feedback"

It is worth noting that in the steering mechanism there is also the so-called "feedback". The driver not only acts on the wheels, but through it also receives information about the features of the movement of the wheels along the road. This manifests itself in the form of vibrations, jerks, the creation of definitely directed forces on the steering wheel. This information is considered very important for the correct assessment of the behavior of the car. Proof of this is the fact that in cars equipped with power steering and EUR, the designers retained the "feedback".

Advanced developments

This node continues to improve, so the most latest achievements are systems:

• Active (dynamic) steering. It allows you to change gear ratio mechanism depending on the vehicle speed. It also performs additional function- Correction of the angle of the front wheels in corners and when braking on slippery roads.
• Adaptive steering (control by wire). This is the newest and most promising system. It does not have a direct connection between the steering wheel and the wheels, everything works due to sensors and executive devices(servos). Great distribution the system has not yet received due to psychological and economic factors.

"rudder-by-wire" system

Conclusion

In general, the mechanism is a fairly reliable unit that does not require any maintenance. But at the same time, the operation of the steering of a car implies timely diagnostics to identify faults.

The design of this node consists of many elements with movable joints. And where there are such connections, over time, due to the wear of the contacting elements, backlashes appear in them, which can significantly affect the handling of the car.

The complexity of steering diagnostics depends on its design. So in nodes with a gear-rack mechanism, there are not so many connections that need to be checked: tips, gear engagement with a rack, steering column universal joints.

But with a worm gear, due to the complex design of the drive, there are much more diagnostic points.

Concerning repair work in the event of a malfunction of the assembly, then the tips are simply replaced in case of severe wear. In the steering mechanism, at the initial stage, the backlash can be removed by adjusting the gearing, and if this does not help, by reassembling the assembly using repair kits. The cardan shafts of the column, as well as the tips, are simply replaced.

Autoleek

Steering is one of the main systems of a car, which is a set of components and mechanisms designed to synchronize the position of the steering wheel (steering wheel) and the angle of rotation of the steered wheels (in most car models, these are the front wheels). The main purpose of steering for any vehicle is to ensure turning and maintaining the direction of movement set by the driver.

Steering system device

Steering diagram

Structurally, the steering system consists of the following elements:

• Steering wheel (steering wheel) - designed to control the driver in order to indicate the direction of the car. AT modern models it is additionally equipped with control buttons multimedia system. The driver's front airbag is also integrated into the steering wheel.
• - performs the transfer of force from the steering wheel to the steering mechanism. It is a shaft with articulated joints. To ensure safety and protection against theft, the dispenser can be equipped with electrical or mechanical systems folding and locking. Additionally, the steering column is equipped with an ignition lock, controls for lighting equipment and a car windshield wiper.
• - performs the transformation of the effort created by the driver through the rotation of the steering wheel and transfers it to the wheel drive. Structurally, it is a gearbox with a certain gear ratio. The mechanism itself connects to the steering column cardan shaft steering.
• - consists of steering rods, tips and levers that transfer force from the steering mechanism to knuckles driving wheels.
• Power steering - increases the force that is transmitted from the steering wheel to the drive.
• Additional elements(steering damper or "damper", electronic systems).

It is also worth noting that the suspension and steering of the car have a close relationship. The stiffness and height of the first determine the degree of response of the car to the rotation of the steering wheel.

Types of steering

Depending on the type of gearbox of the system, the steering mechanism (steering system) can be of the following types:

• Rack - the most common type used in cars. This kind of steering gear has a simple structure and features high efficiency. The disadvantages are that this type of mechanism is sensitive to the resulting shock loads when operating in complex road conditions.
• Worm - provides good maneuverability of the car and a fairly large angle of rotation of the wheels. This type of mechanism is less affected by shock loading, but more expensive to manufacture.
• Screw - the principle of operation is similar to the worm mechanism, but it has a higher efficiency and allows you to create more effort.

Depending on the type of amplifier that provides for the steering device, systems are distinguished:

• FROM . Its main advantage is its compactness and simplicity of design. Hydraulic steering among modern vehicles is one of the most common. The disadvantage of such a system is the need to control the level working fluid.
• FROM . Such a power steering system is considered the most progressive. It provides easy adjustment of control settings, high reliability work, economical consumption fuel and the ability to drive a car without the participation of a driver.
• FROM . The principle of operation of this system is similar to the system with a hydraulic booster. The main difference is that the booster pump is driven by an electric motor rather than an internal combustion engine.

Steering modern car can be supplemented with the following systems:

• — the system changes the value gear ratio depending on the current speed. It allows you to adjust the angle of rotation of the wheels and provides a safer and more stable movement on slippery surfaces.
• Dynamic steering - works similarly active system, however, in the design in this case, instead of a planetary gearbox, an electric motor is used.
• Adaptive steering for vehicles — main feature is the lack of a rigid connection between the steering wheel of the car and its wheels.

Vehicle steering requirements

According to the standard, the following basic requirements apply to steering:

• Ensuring a given trajectory of movement with necessary parameters agility, steering and stability.
• The effort on the steering wheel for the maneuver should not exceed the normalized value.
• The total number of turns of the steering wheel from the middle position to each of the extreme positions should not exceed the set value.
• If the amplifier fails, the ability to drive the car must remain.

There is another standard parameter that determines the normal functioning of the steering - this is the total play. This parameter is the amount of steering angle before the steerable wheels begin to turn.

Valid value total backlash in steering should be within:

• 10° for cars and minibuses;
• 20° for buses and similar vehicles;
• 25° for trucks.

Features of right-hand and left-hand drive

Left hand and right hand drive

Modern cars can be provided with right-hand drive or left-hand drive, depending on the type of vehicle and the legislation of individual countries. Depending on this, the steering wheel may be located on the right (with left-hand traffic) or left (with right-handed).

In most countries left-hand drive (or right-hand traffic). The main difference between the mechanisms is not only in the position of the steering wheel, but also in the steering gearbox, which is adapted to different connection sides. On the other hand, conversion from right-hand drive to left-hand drive is still possible.

In some types of special equipment, for example, in tractors, hydrostatic steering is provided, which ensures the independence of the position of the steering wheel from the layout of other elements. In this system, there is no mechanical connection between the drive and the steering wheel. To turn the wheels, hydrostatic steering provides power cylinder controlled by the dosing pump.

The main advantages that hydrostatic steering for vehicles has in comparison with the classic steering mechanism with hydraulic booster: the need to apply less effort to make a turn, no backlash, and the possibility of arbitrary arrangement of system nodes.

Many car owners think that they will never have to face such a problem as replacing a steering wheel in a car in their life - this node seems unshakable and reliable. But quite often there are malfunctions associated with wear of the mounts, bearings or electronic components that are installed inside the steering wheel. In addition, many motorists change the steering wheel to a non-standard product in order to increase the comfort of the vehicle or improve handling. One way or another, replacing the steering wheel is a rather difficult undertaking. To prevent damage and do everything right, you must follow the instructions exactly. More on this later in the article.

Steering of a modern car with hydraulic booster:

Pit arm (1), longitudinal Tie Rod(2), steering gear (3), suction hose (4), drain hose (5), reservoir (6), right side tie rod (7), right swing arm (8), tie rod (9), input shaft steering gear (10), lower universal joint(11), universal joint shaft (12), upper universal joint (13), steering column shaft (14), steering wheel (15), left swing arm (16), left side link end (17), adjusting tube clamp (18 ), left steering link arm (19), joint cover (20), left side link end (21), joint (22), pressure hose (23), power steering pump (24).

Most modern cars are equipped with power steering - electric or hydraulic. The power steering is designed for comfortable driving, as well as to reduce the effort on the steering wheel and hold the car after a sharp maneuver. Power steering included basic equipment almost every modern car.

The basis of the steering is the steering mechanism, which performs the following functions:

• Spontaneously returns the steering wheel to neutral position under unloading conditions.
• Transmits power to the steering gear.
• Increases the force applied to the steering wheel.

Strictly speaking, the steering mechanism is a gearbox (mechanical transmission), so its main parameter is the gear ratio. Depending on the type mechanical transmission There are such types of steering mechanisms: screw, worm, rack and pinion.

Consider the principle of operation of the rack and pinion steering mechanism (it is this that is most often installed on cars): when the steering wheel is rotated, the rack moves to the left or right, and during the movement of the rack, the steering rods attached to it move, which turn the steered wheels.

Design features of autopilots

The rack and pinion steering mechanism is distinguished by its simple design, correspondingly high efficiency, as well as high rigidity. However, at the same time, this type of steering mechanism is prone to vibrations and is sensitive to shock loads from bumps in the roads. Due to the nature of its design, the rack and pinion steering gear is mounted on front-wheel drive vehicles and is not dependent suspension steered wheels.

The screw steering mechanism consists of the following structural elements: steering arm located on the sector shaft, a screw on the steering shaft, a nut moving along the screw, a gear rack cut on the nut, and a gear sector that is connected to the rack. A feature of the screw mechanism is the connection of the nut and the screw with the help of balls, which makes it possible to achieve less friction and wear of the pair. This type of steering gear is mounted on some cars executive class, heavy trucks and buses.

The worm gear combines the following structural components: a globoid worm (a worm with a variable diameter) connected to the steering shaft and a roller. A lever (bipod) is mounted on the roller shaft outside the steering mechanism housing, which is connected to the steering gear rods. Worm gear steering is less sensitive to shock loads and provides better vehicle maneuverability. But it is not cheap because of the complexity of manufacturing. Steering with a similar mechanism has a large number of connections, and therefore requires systematic adjustment.

Worm gear is used on passenger transport With cross-country ability and dependent suspension, light freight transport and on buses. Previously given type the steering mechanism was mounted on the "domestic" classics.

For all models of the steering wheel are characteristic common features designs:

1. In the middle of the steering wheel, in its inner part, there is a hub with which this device is attached to the steering column.
2. outer rim - control part Total this device. The driver holds on to it and, influencing the outer rim, transmits torque to the steering column, and through it directly to the steering rods.
3. The hub and outer rim are connected to each other by means of spokes, which can look like pins or plates, and there are four, three or two in number.

The size of the steering wheel, what determines the size of the steering wheel

The size of the steering wheel mounted on a vehicle depends to a large extent on whether the vehicle has a hydraulic or electric amplifier steering. In addition, the size of the steering wheel is largely dependent on the effort on it. There are certain requirements for maximum force on the handlebar under power failure conditions. The torque required to turn the steering shaft is equal to the product of the force (applied by the motorist) times the arm (radius of the steering wheel). Therefore, the smaller the steering wheel, the more difficult it will be to turn it. Buses and trucks have harder wheels to turn, so the steering wheel is larger and more horizontal. In passenger cars, it can be made smaller.

The modern steering wheel of a modern car, which is displayed on the steering wheel

On modern steering wheels of many cars, control buttons for various automotive systems are displayed. An integral attribute of this device is sound signal, only the placement of the control of this signal is different. In fact, in all car models, turn, wiper and light switches are mounted along with the steering wheel. Therefore, when replacing the steering wheel, there is a need to dismantle these devices as well. It is worth noting that on older models of vehicles, especially American ones, the gear lever was actually installed directly in the steering wheel.

In addition, in our time there are so-called multi-functional steering wheels (multi-steering wheel), which can control the audio system, telephone, on-board computer, navigation system, voice control system, cruise control, air recirculation.

How to buy a new steering wheel, what you should pay attention to

Before changing the steering wheel, the car owner should seriously consider what type of steering wheel the car needs. Many drivers prefer sports steering wheels. Of course, appearance such a device attracts attention. Thickened, small in diameter, with shaped notches that make it comfortable to grip the steering wheel. Most often it is made of elastic materials and pleasant to the touch. However, this is not always a wise decision.

On a car without power steering, it is most convenient to use the steering wheel when driving around the city large diameter. As mentioned above, by rotating such a steering wheel, the motorist has to exert much less effort when performing a complex maneuver.

In addition, there is an important condition that should be observed when purchasing a new steering wheel. It is necessary to check the place where on the hub the new device is attached to the steering column of the vehicle on which the steering wheel is being replaced. This design is often made only for specific model vehicle and does not have a unified connection.

As for cars with multifunctional steering wheels, which were mentioned above, only unique devices are suitable for them, since it is very difficult to remake the control scheme of automotive systems. When choosing a new steering wheel, you should imagine how convenient it will be located in the cabin and whether it will become a hindrance to the driver. The ideal option is to select a steering wheel according to the manufacturer's recommendation - such steering wheels have certificates of conformity and have the appropriate marks on the packaging.

Workplace selection

All work on replacing the steering wheel must be carried out on a flat horizontal surface. Vehicle, and is fixed using hand brake and first gear engaged with the engine off.

Safety

For insurance under the wheels, it is better to install mechanical stops. AT without fail de-energize automotive systems, removing from battery terminals.

Tools, fixtures, consumables

1. Phillips and flat screwdrivers.
2. Spanners.
3. Mechanical stops.
4. A collar for the central nut.
5. The steering wheel itself.

Preparatory work (step by step)

How to remove the steering wheel and install a new one (step by step)

On the last step a check should be made, for which it is necessary to shake the steering wheel to the sides and pull it towards you. In addition, you should carefully listen to your feelings when driving the first few kilometers. If you notice that you have installed the steering wheel incorrectly, contact your service center to avoid problems in the future.

At first glance, there is nothing complicated in this. But it is worth starting the very procedure for replacing the steering wheel in order to understand that each action requires accuracy and care. The whole procedure takes experienced masters at least an hour, and unprepared beginners can spend up to several hours on it.

How to find and order a new steering wheel on Aliexpress at a reasonable price and free shipping

• To order a new steering wheel, you first need to register. To do this, click on the inscription "Registration" in the upper right corner of the site.
  
  
• You will then be redirected to a special form to fill out. Here you need to enter your e-mail, last name and first name, and also create a password. The email address must be confirmed within 24 hours.
  
  
• Further, it is advisable to immediately fill in the delivery address, but this must be done exclusively in English letters. This is done in your profile. You can specify not only your address, but also the addresses of your relatives, acquaintances, friends. There can be up to five addresses in total.
  
  
• Then we drive keywords into the search bar, preferably on English language: steering wheel - steering wheel.
  
  
• As you can see, there are a lot of results. Most the best option will sort the results by seller rating.
  
  
• Since we need goods with free shipping, check the box next to "Free Shipping".
  
  
• To weed out wholesalers, select only piece goods.
  
  
• Next, go to the product description page and select the desired color, size, quantity.
  
  
• After that, click on the "Buy Now" link to immediately pay for the order. If you would like to pay later, please add the item to your cart.