Freightliner Trucks will begin offering rack and pinion steering as an option on Century Class, Coronado, Columbia, Classic, and Classic XL models later this year. The system, which increases control and responsiveness, is lighter and has fewer moving parts than the integral-gear steering used on most heavy trucks. The proprietary system also saves 45 lb. With fewer parts and pivot points, it offers more accurately controlled wheel direction, the company says. There are only two main components — the rack is a horizontal shaft with teeth, which intersects the pinion at a 90-degree angle; turning the steering wheel turns the pinion, moving the rack to the left or right, thus steering the wheels.

According to Jonathan Randall, director of product marketing at Freightliner, the idea came from company engineers working with Pikes Peak racer Mike Ryan, whose Century Class S/T race truck uses rack and pinion steering.

“The lighter weight and extreme precision required to race up a 14,000-ft mountain are the same qualities needed by on-highway trucks to increase payload and maneuver through traffic or in cramped loading docks,” Randall said.