How the Box Steering System Works

Steering box systems have been in use in automobiles for decades. In 2011, the worm gear box style is one of the two major steering systems, along with rack and pinion systems. These systems can be either power steering or manual.

Parts

Among the major parts of a worm gear box steering system are a worm gear (a gear shaped like a screw), a selector shaft gear, a pitman arm, center link and idler arm.

Function

When the driver rotates the steering wheel, the worm gear is turned, causing the sector gear to pivot around its axis. This causes the pitman arm to move and delivers output motion to the track rods, which are connected to the front wheels and ensure the wheels turn on the same angle. The key component is the pitman arm, which converts the angular motion of the sector shaft into linear motion which is need to steer.

Power Steering

In vehicles with power steering, a hydraulic pump mounted on the engine applies pressurized fluid through the steering system. In these vehicles, it's the job of the box steering system to also apply that fluid to help facilitate the steering.

References

• CarBibles.com: The car steering bible.
• CarTech Autoparts: Steering gear box.
• Rod & Custom Magazine: Steering Box Options - Roddin' Around Thinking Inside The Box; Kev Elliott; February 2009.
• 2CarPros.com: How Car Steering Works.