In ___________ steering, the steering shaft connects to a pinion gear which rests on a track with protruding teeth and tie rods attached at both ends.

• A. Recirculating Ball
• B. Rack & Pinion
• C. Electric Power Steering
• D. Hydraulic Steering

Answer: (B)

Rack and pinion steering uses a pinion gear mounted on the steering shaft that engages a long, toothed rack. The rack sits as a track with protruding teeth, and tie rods attach to its ends to connect to the steering knuckles. When you turn the steering wheel, the pinion rotates and moves the rack side to side, translating rotational motion into the linear motion that steers the wheels. This setup is distinct from recirculating ball steering, which uses a steering box with a worm gear and a ball-nickel track rather than a separate toothed rack. Power assist, whether hydraulic or electric, can accompany rack and pinion, but the key detail—pinion engaging a toothed rack with tie rods at both ends—matches rack and pinion exactly.