Factors affecting steering operations

There are six types of factors affecting in steering are as follows:

1. Steering gear ratio and back lash.

A higher steering ratio means that the steering wheel is turned more to get the wheels turning, but it will be easier to turn the steering wheel. A lower steering ratio means that the steering wheel is turned less to get the wheels turning, but it will be harder to turn the steering wheel.

2. Steering linkage connection.

The steering linkage transfers the motion of the steering gear output shaft to the steering arms that turn the wheels to maneuver and control vehicle direction. The steering linkage is adjustable to be able to vary the toe setting and perform an alignment on the vehicle. This is necessary to account for tolerance stack-ups in frame and suspension components, component wear, and impact damage such as potholes. This can damage the steering linkage and change the toe setting instantly. The toe setting affects vehicle handling, tyre wear, and fuel economy. Steering linkage components should be inspected for looseness, torn or deteriorated grease seal boots, and other damage. The steering linkage is the most critical part of the steering system because a worn linkage can not only cause excessive tyre wear, it can also become a serious safety and liability issue. For this reason, it is important to have the entire steering linkage inspected at least annually by an ASE certified technician.

3. Tyre pressure.

Tyre pressure can affects the steering operation, primarily; low pressure will cause the steering to be less responsive.

If you don’t regularly undertake car maintenance, then you could be driving with low tyre pressure below about 20psi (pounds per square inch) without realising. Low tyre pressure causes too much of your tyres’ surface area to touch the road as the sidewalls sag and lose their structure. This, in turn, causes excess friction, which can wear away the tyres and result in steering lag, which lowers your response time, and increases your breaking distance. Increased friction can also lead to overheating tyres, resulting in premature wear or even tyre blow outs. This is particularly risky if you regularly drive in the city or on the motorway, as tyre blow outs can be a crash risk for you and other drivers round you. With underinflated tyres, there is the potential for over-steering or under-steering as the steering system components can wear out quickly. In wet weather, this can result in skidding and aquaplaning, which can be hard for even experienced drivers to control. When tyres are overinflated, less of the tyre touches the ground meaning that there’s less traction on each wheel. If tyres are overinflated for a long time, they can be deformed by the air pressure. Overinflated tyres are stiffer, and as a result, may not respond well to road hazards like potholes. This can result in your car slipping or jumping across the road, making it much harder to control, making the ride uncomfortable, and potentially permanently damaging the suspension.

Maintaining correct tyre pressure is essential for the safe handling of your car, and therefore an important consideration for your safety, and the safety of those around you on the road. After your brakes, tyres are one of the most important elements of your car in terms of safety. Driving with low tyre pressure can be dangerous, loss of control often results and serious accidents occur. Keep you tyre pressure as close to the pressure prescribed in your car’s manual. The pressure is usually listed on the inside of the driver’s door frame.

4. Condition of king pins and bushings.

Improper lubrication of kingpin bushings can cause kingpin contact points to begin to wear at the steering knuckle. You will notice signs of kingpin and bushing failure from incorrect vehicle alignment, premature and uneven front tyre wear, and rough handling. The effect of rack-housing rubber bushings on the handling characteristics of a vehicle (circular cornering and pulse steering) is show that the steering-system compliance is the source of the frequency peak in the yaw rate to hand-wheel angle response function. Experiencing these symptoms while driving may result in a shaking cab or steering wheel. Because of the potential for further damage and operator safety risks, properly diagnosing and repairing worn kingpins, bushings and tie rods needs to be addressed promptly. After experiencing symptoms of a kingpin and bushing failure, additional diagnoses must be done to rule out other wheel assembly issues that may also cause similar symptoms. An easy way to help determine a worn kingpin is to conduct a kingpin wear inspection.

5. Wheel alignment.

Wheels that are out of alignment have a tendency to pull to the side, forcing drivers to tighten their grip on the steering wheel in an attempt to keep control of the vehicle. Misalignments can also negatively affect the handling and braking of the vehicle, compromising the safety of drivers and passengers.