What makes a car steering wheel return to the straight position after turning?
beth asked:
When you turn a corner in a car, i’ve noticed that you can let the wheel return to the straight position of it’s own accord (i’m way too young to drive so yes i only just noticed). Is this because of inertia or just little springs holding the steering wheel?
http://www.myislandholiday.com/
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When you turn a corner in a car, i’ve noticed that you can let the wheel return to the straight position of it’s own accord (i’m way too young to drive so yes i only just noticed). Is this because of inertia or just little springs holding the steering wheel?
http://www.myislandholiday.com/
September 2nd, 2009 at 6:01 pm
It’s due to the geometry of the steering and suspension components. It’s the same principal that keep shopping cart wheels from rotating in circles when you push them.
September 6th, 2009 at 1:34 am
It is the same principle as to why your bike tire naturally faces straight forward when you are riding with no hands.
When there is forward movement, that is the direction the tire will go when it is given incentive to (pressing the gas or peddaling your bike)
The fact that the back tires are always facing straight is also another reason. It is because the car naturally wants to move straight ahead on a flat surface, so if you leave the wheel alone, it will make it’s way back there eventually.
September 6th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Like mike said, it is part of the steering geometry… The part that you are looking at is caster. A bicycle or motorcycle is a little easier to see caster because it is the angle of the rake of the front forks. If this angle is too perpendicular to the ground, you will get a shaky wheel (like the wheels on the shopping carts). If the angle is too parallel to the ground, the wheel becomes difficult to steer.
During a vehicle alignment, Caster, camber, and toe are all adjusted for proper drive-ability and reduced vehicle component wear. If you would like to see more of this, check out “howstuffworks.com”
I hope this helps.
~J