A type of steering system with a
pinion gear on the end of the
steering shaft. The pinion engages a long rack
(a bar with a row of teeth cut along one edge). When the
steering wheel is turned, the pinion turns and
moves the rack to the left or right. This movement is carried through
tie rods to the steering
arms at the wheels.
The pinion gear rotates with the steering shaft, moving the rack from side to side.
Several full turns of the pinion are required to shift the rack from lock to lock.
Because there are so few parts in the steering linkage, rack and pinion is a very
precise and responsive steering system and is often used in sports cars.