Suspension and Steering Chapter 2 Notes
Name: ______Period______
1. A______steering system relies solely on the driver to provide the steering force.
2. ______steering is a system that uses
hydraulic or electric power to help the driver apply steering force.
3. The ______attaches to the
steering shaft by one or more threaded fasteners. In most vehicles
the steering wheel secures with a single nut. A steering wheel
puller (as shown to right) must be used to remove the steering
wheel from the steering column shaft.
4. If the vehicle has an ______the system
must be disarmed correctly before removing it to access the
steering wheel. Consult the vehicle service manual for proper
procedures to disarm the SRS.
5. The ______is the housing that
contains and supports the steering shaft. Many vehicles have
a tile mechanism to adjust the steering wheel or the steering column
up or down.
6. ______allow the steering
shaft connections to pivot at various angles during steering
operation.
7. ______steering system is used primarily
on trucks, vans, and vehicles made prior to the 1980’s.
This steering gear usesa series of recirculating balls
on a worm gear to transfer steering-wheel movement
to road wheel movement.
8. ______steering is used on most vehicles manufactured after 1980. It uses a steering gear in which a pinion on the end of the steering shaft meshes with a rack of gear teeth on the major cross-member of the steering linkage.
9. A rack and pinion system has some advantages over a
recirculating ball system. The rack and pinion has fewer parts,
saves weight and takes up less space in the vehicle.
10. The bellows boot (right) protects the inner tie rod socket
of the rack and pinion from dirt and contamination, and should
be inspected for tears or cracks that could allow the inner
tie rod end to fail prematurely.
11. ______is the number
of degrees that the steering wheel must turn to turn the road
wheels one degree.
12.Components of the power steering
system:
Powersteering pump
Power steering fluid reservoir
Drive belt for power steering pump
Power steering fluid
Hoses and tubes that connect the
power steering pump to the
steering gear
Power assisted steering gear assembly
13. A ______is a hydraulic pump that provides an assist to the steering system. It produces up to 2,000 PSI of fluid pressure for the system.
14. Electric motor assisted power steering has been recently introduced to the automotive field. Most of these systems use an electric motor to assist in steering. The electric motor is either mounted on the power steering rack or on the steering column. (column mounted electric motor below left and below right) (rack mounted bottom left)
15. Many vehicles produced since the late 1980’s have a steering wheel ______. The air bag is mounted in the center of the steering wheel. If the vehicle hits an object with enough force, a fabric quickly inflates, using a built in gas charged canister. This inflated fabric protects the driver from injury caused by contact with the steering wheel, dash or windshield.
* Always follow the procedures in the vehicle service manual for air bag removal and installation.
16. Many newer vehicles are equipped with a steering angle sensor, which is located in the steering column. This sensor will allow various control modules such as the variable assist power steering system and some stability control systems to know the exact direction in which the driver wants to steer the vehicle. (above left)
17. Most vehicles today (if equipped with a driver’s side air bag) use a clock spring located in the steering column to serve as the electrical connection. The clock spring connects the air bag, the horn, and other electrical controls located in the steering wheel. (above right)