Sliding tooth Shaft
Fig. 137. Rack and Pinion Type Steering Gear
[Fig. 137] shows the rack and pinion type of steering gear. This type of steering gear is used on a few of the lighter weight cars and is not as dependable owing to a reverse action through the steering mechanism when an obstruction is encountered by one of the front wheels. This type of steering device consists of a solid shaft with the steering wheel keyed to the upper end.
A small spur gear is keyed and locked to the lower end, and meshes with a horizontal toothed shaft which slides inside of a housing. The connection between the steering gear and the steering knuckles is made by a short rod or drag link carrying a split ball seat on each end. One end of the drag link socket is fitted to a ball on the end of the horizontal toothed shaft, while the socket on the other end is fitted to a ball on the upper end of the bolt which connects the tie rod and knuckle.
Steering Gear Care.—Steering gears should be closely adjusted. The housing should be packed with a medium hard oil or graphite grease at least once in every thousand miles that the car is driven. All bolts and nuts connecting the different parts of the steering gear should be regularly inspected and kept in a perfectly tight condition.
Fig. 138. Steering Wheel
[Fig. 138] shows the location of the spark and gas control levers which usually operate on a quadrant on the upper side of the steering wheel. The short lever always controls the spark, which may be advanced or retarded by moving it. The long lever is attached to the carburetor, and controls the speed of the motor by regulating the volume of gas vapor supplied to the motor.
CHAPTER XXXVII
BEARING TYPES, USE AND CARE
Three types of bearings are being used by the manufacturers of automobiles and gasoline engines. They are, namely, the plain bearing or bushing, the solid and flexible roller-bearing, and the double and single row of self-aligning ball bearings.