Function

Just as the rack-and-pinion steering is standard in the motor car, the recirculating-ball steering has the same function in the utility vehicle. In these heavier vehicles, a relatively smooth steering, through rolling friction, together with the almost always straight-mounted engines, should enable a space-saving lay-out to be made possible.

How it works

To better understand the construction, click on the above picture 2 and then enlarge it. In a spindle at the end of the steering shaft, a thread-like channel has been milled to accommodate the ball-bearings. Through these ball-bearings it is connected with a (spindle-) nut. When steering, their cogs move the drop arm through a steering segment, causing a pivoting movement. Other connecting elements then transfer this movement to the tie rod/s. When they have reached the end of their respective channel, the ball-bearings are transported through curved tubing, to the beginning again. The gear ratio can be finely adjusted through the configuration of the ball-bearing channels and through the gear-tooth pitch between the steering nut and gear-tooth segment.

The third figure above shows the hydraulic support. In this case, the spindle divides the interior of the recirculating-ball steering into two areas. Presuming a good sealing of the movable parts, pressure can now be applied, depending on the steering movement, to one side while at the same time, relieving the other side. 09/09

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