Rack and Pinion Service

A rack and pinion steering system is a very mechanically simple system that dates back to the day before the automobile. Inside the steering unit lies a horizontal piece of metal with teeth on the top of it, much like an overturned saw. The steering column has a shaft inside it which is call the pinion. It has a gear attached to the end which also has teeth that mesh with the teeth on the rack. When the steering wheel is turned, the pinion moves the rack either to the left or the right, facilitating the turning of the wheels. These days, electronic steering systems are quickly advancing, leaving no physical link between the steering wheel and the wheels themselves.