Manual steering racks

The manual steering, as the power steering rack, is made of a pinion, rack and axial tie rods.

The steering movement takes place through the impulse from the steering wheel transmitted to the pinion, which allows the rack to slide.

With the EPS on the market, the manual steering is now commonly used in A and B cars categories.

The difference between a manual steering racks and a power steering racks can be explained as follow: while the power steering is a system that helps in steering the wheels by using the power of the engine, manual steering racks features a steering system in which manual force is used for steering.

Therefore, it’s safe to link manual steering racks to the pure concept of steering, which refers to the mechanism of guiding the wheels towards the intention we prefer. Even today, manual steering racks are still very much used on a global scale and are a completely different type of steering if compared to the power steering, which is proper of most of modern vehicles.

Manual steering racks must include manual force for steering while, and thus a more blatant effort to steer the vehicle. The only energy source for manual steering racks is nothing but the force that the driver applies to the steering wheel.

It has to be pointed out, though, that power steering always allows manual steering to be available as well. This function is especially useful in case of problematic engines or power assist system failure.

It’s also necessary to specify that different types of manual steering racks exist:

• Worm and sector
• Worm and roller
• Cam and lever
• Worm and nut
• Rack and pinion

Each of these manual steering racks has its own specific characteristics.

In conclusion, manual steering is a system where manual force is used for the action of steering the vehicle. Manual steering racks use a rack and a pinion, worm and roller and recirculation ball and nut. Their response is comparatively slow if compared to power steering, and the resistance to wheel movement is superior. Manual steering racks are preferred for low weight vehicles and their elements include a steering wheel and column, a manual gearbox and pitman arm or a rack and pinion assembly, linkages; steering knuckles and ball joints, and wheel spindle assemblies.

Here are the main advantage of manual steering: the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheel and all the components continues to be maintained without the help of the auxiliary power. That’s the reason why manual steering racks are still preferred in race cars.