A parallelogram steering linkage is called such because like its namesake, the two sides of the linkage run parallel to each other and are equal in distance. This type of
steering linkage uses four
tie rod
A tie rod or tie bar (also known as a hanger rod if vertical) is a slender structural unit used as a tie and (in most applications) capable of carrying tensile loads only.
It is any rod or bar-shaped structural member designed to prevent the separ ...
s, one inner and one outer on each side (left and right) that are connected by an adjustment sleeve, a center link (which runs between the tie rods), an
idler arm
An idler arm is a pivoting support for a conventional parallelogram steering linkage on some cars and trucks.
The idler arm supports the end of the center link on the passenger's side of the vehicle. The idler arm bolts to the vehicle's frame or ...
on the passenger side, and a
pitman arm
A Pitman arm is a shaft that translates rotary or angular movement into linear movement, or vice versa. Pitman arms are commonly found in water pumping windmills, automotive steering systems, and sewing machines.
In windmills, the Pitman arm c ...
on the driver side. The pitman arm attaches to the steering gear output shaft which is also commonly called the pitman shaft. The pitman arm attaches to the center link and is moved by turning the steering wheel. The center link bar transfers the movement from the pitman arm and pitman shaft to the idler arm on the passenger side. The inner tie rods are mounted to the center link and transfer steering motion to the steering arms and outer tie rods. All of the joints which mount these components are constructed of small ball and socket joints to provide the necessary freedom of movement required to maintain control over the vehicle while it is in motion. The most common type of steering is the parallelogram. The cross-steer and Haltenberger linkage designs are used on some trucks and vans.
See also
*
Idler arm
An idler arm is a pivoting support for a conventional parallelogram steering linkage on some cars and trucks.
The idler arm supports the end of the center link on the passenger's side of the vehicle. The idler arm bolts to the vehicle's frame or ...
References
Notes
Bibliography
*{{citation , last=Halderman , first=James D. , title=Automotive Chassis Systems , edition=5th , year=2010 , publisher=Prentice Hall , isbn=978-0-13-508503-5
Automotive steering technologies