Freightliner offers first rack and pinion steering system
Freightliner has announced it will be the first to offer rack and pinion steering on heavy-duty trucks.
Rack and pinion steering will be available on the Century Class S/T, Coronado, Columbia, Classic and Classic XL models. Availability will begin later this year.
Freightliner president and CEO, Chris Patterson, said rack and pinion steering provides improved control and responsiveness, is lighter and has fewer moving parts than traditional heavy-duty truck steering systems.
“Similar to passenger cars, rack and pinion components consist of a horizontally mounted rack and vertically mounted pinion,” he explained. “It mounts to the front axle by two brackets and is connected to the steering column by an intermediate steering shaft.”
The new steering system is about 45 lb. lighter than traditional heavy-duty steering systems and drivers will enjoy a greater sense of control, Patterson said.
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