What Is a Steering Gear Kit?
- Rack-and-pinion steering design provides a more direct connection between the steering wheel and the wheels. A gear on the steering shaft is attached to a flat, toothed rack. The steering shaft, which is connected to the rack via a pinion gear, moves back and forth across the rack to rotate the wheels right and left. The rack is connected to the wheels by steering arms, which are connected to the rack by tie rods. The pinion, tie rods and rack are replaceable parts.
- Worm and nut steering gears combine a threaded gear called the worm with a nut attached to one end. The nut is turned up or down on the threads of the worm gear. Steering components, such as the pitman arm, may be connected directly to the nut, or with a lever or a shaft. The pitman arm or the lever is moved by the nut. The movement of the lever or pitman arm up and down moves the wheels left and right. The nut is replaceable with a kit.
- The worm and roller steering gear design is a gear that has a spiral-shaped design and a roller supported by ball bearings. The ball bearings reduce the friction between the gear and the roller for smoother steering, and reduce wear on the gears. A worm and roller steering gear is operated by turning the steering wheel, which turns the worm gear, which turns the roller. The roller rotates a part called a pitman arm shaft that moves the wheels. The most common repair is to replace worn bearings.
- Cam and lever steering gears are similar to the worm and roller gear design. The spiral-shaped worm is called the cam, which is attached to a lever. The lever is attached to two parts called studs. The lever is attached to the cam with bearings. When the steering wheel is turned left and right, the studs are moved up and down the cam. The lever and attached pitman arms rotate, which turns the wheels. Bearings are replaceable with a kit. You can also replace pitman arms and levers.
