4.

0 MATERIALS IN AUTOMOBILES Sheet steel has remained the main material used for the construction of the body of a motor vehicle ever since mass production began earlier this century. Steel is relatively is cheap and can be economically formed to make parts with complicated shapes and has a high degree of rigidity, higher crash impact resistance and high elastic modulus. In the recent days, aluminium alloys have been extensively used for automobile components. The alloy has aluminium as base metal with traces of chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, silicon, titanium and zinc added to it. The proportions are differed according to the requirement of the end product and these alloys are almost replacing the steels in automobile sector. The essential factors behind this development have been the needs to reduce fuel consumption by reducing the weight of car and increased passenger safety.

4.5 STEERING MECHANISM: RACK AND PINION SYSTEM y In rack and pinion type, the gear on the steering columns end is similar to the pinion gear in the differential cut on an angle, and meshed with a steel bar (the rack) toothed on one side.

The rack is mounted parallel to the front axle and as the steering wheel turns, it operates directly on the tie rods without the use of a pitman arm, idler or intermediate (or relay) rod. Adding a power assist to this type of steering is quite simple. The power piston is actually part of the rack, and the rack housing acts as the cylinder. The control valve is located in the pinion housing. Rotation of the steering shaft and pinion turns the valve to direct hydraulic pressure to either end of the rack piston.

4.6 FRONT SUSPENSION: MACPHERSON STRUT The most widely used front suspension system in cars of European origin .The system comprises of a strut-type spring and shock absorber combo, which pivots on a ball joint on the single, lower arm. The strut itself is the load-bearing member in this assembly, with the spring and shock absorber merely performing their duty as opposed to actually holding the car up. 4.7 REAR SUSPENSION: MULTI-LINK SYSTEM This is the latest incarnation of the double wishbone system. The basic principle of it is the same, but instead of solid upper and lower wishbones, each 'arm' of the wishbone is a separate item. These are joined at the top and bottom of the spindle thus forming the wishbone shape. The added advantage is that as the spindle turns

for steering, it alters the geometry of the suspension by torquing all four suspension arms. (Web.ref.3)