A power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering mechanism for a vehicle provided with a beam axle and semi-elliptical springs, the steering mechanism comprising double-acting piston-and-cylinder means having a piston rod opposite ends of which are provided with ball joints whereby the piston rod is connectable with the steerable road wheels of a vehicle, a toothed rack spaced radially of the piston rod and extending away from the piston rod beyond one end thereof, a pinion connectable with the steering control of a vehicle and in meshing engagement with the toothed rack, the pinion being located outside, not between, said ball joints, a connecting member connecting adjacent ends of the piston rod and toothed rack, the connecting member being rigidly connected to the piston rod and being pivotally connected to the toothed rack, and a bifurcation of said connecting member for restraining the toothed rack against pivotal movement about an axis normal to the axis of said pivotal connection.
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