Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-20
EY II CLIFFORD BRoKAw,


In the early days of motoring the
driver of a car was frequently subject
to terrifying dreams in which he
thought his steering gear had failed
to function and with disastrous results.
Not so frequent was the actual occur
renee of such a tragic event, but fire.
quent enough to instill in many mo-
florists visions of what likely would
happen under such circumstances
Nowadays, to have anything go wrong
with the steering gear Is decidedly
infrequent happening.
However, as greater speed has become
commonplace in the use of the auto
mobile, dire results growing out of
accidents due to failure of steering
gears to operate are even more serious.
While the preSent-day automobile driver
need have no bad dreams about this, or
even worry about it when operating
his car he should certainly have some
understanding of the steering appa-
ratus. He should be sure to see to it
that. based on his knowledge, this part
of the machine is given normal care
and consideration from time to time
so as to insure the least possibility of
accidents in this connection. There is
hardly to be conceived any more hope
less situation for the driver of car
going at high speed than to find his
car lacking in steering facilities.
Due to the great skill and care on
the part of automobile manufacturers
who have done everything possible to
make the steering apparatus fool proof,
this part of the machine does not often
go back on the motorist. Even though
only small percentage of motor acct
dents can be laid to the failure of
steering gears to function properly,
there are sufficient of these unfavor-
able happenings to make every driver
of a car give some thought to this
phase of motoring.
The front wheels of an automobile
have special characteristics which In
sure steering the car without involving
great exertion, at the same time giving
it the necessary strength and required
fexibility. 1t is possible to swing the
front wheels of car with very little
effort, because of gear at the lower
end of the shaft on which the hand
steering wheel is located. This gear is
usually of the worm type, although
other types are used At the same time
it is necessary to exert great deal OF
pressure on the front wheels in order
TIC move the steering or hand wheel.
Through a 1inkage which has been
worked out, an arm from this steering
gear connects through drag link to a
steering knuckle upon which one Of
the front wheels is mounted. The other
front wheel is made to move at the
same time with the first through
means of a tie rod connected to its
steering knuckle. These knuckle joints
are, therefore, points of weakness as
compared with a solid axle, which
makes it necessary that some means OF
furnishing strength be provided
For example. if the front wheels were
placed in perpendicular position, II
is easy to see that good deal of lever
age would be exerted on the steering
knuckle pins. This would make fol
weak construction, and cause big re-
sistance to the turning movement
necessary to the steering. To Offset
these difficulties, the front wheels are
given kindergarten; that is. the distance
between them at the spot where they
touch the ground is less than at then
tops.
1t therefore follows that the weight
of the automobile bears directly on g
| line with the steering knuckle pins anc
no leverage is exerted. If both wheels
were pointed straight aA0afi ia 4: