Laura - let's see if I can describe this in such a way that you can picture it...

Your steering wheel is connected to a rod that runs through your dashboard and fire wall to somewhere between the front wheels. At the end of this rod is a round gear called a "pinion gear". The teeth of the pinion gear mesh with the teeth on the steering rack. Keeping it simple, the steering rack is also considered a gear, but it's not round like you might think a gear should look, it's a straight bar with gear teeth on it. The steering rack is perpendicular to the rod that I described earlier and it sits between the wheels like this ()====(). The front wheels are connected to the ends of the steering rack. When you turn the steering wheel, the pinion gear moves the steering rack back and forth to make your wheels turn. This is where the term "rack and pinion steering" comes from.

Did I do OK? Did that help?

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'08 335i Coupe - Barbera Red / Saddle Leather / Light Poplar Wood / 6spd Manual
Options: Sport, Premium, Cold Weather, Comfort Access, Active Steering (awesome!), Power Rear Shade, IPod Adapter, Navigation w/IDrive
Mods: M6 Wheels, Split Armrest, M-Steering Wheel, Euro Light Switch w/Rear Fog Lights, Short Shift Knob w/Matching E-Brake Handle, Clear Reflectors, CDV, Clear Bra

Retired:'04 X5 4.4i