Abstract: A vehicle includes an axle which is connected with steerable vehicle wheels and is movable relative to a body of the vehicle with the steerable vehicle wheels. A rack and pinion steering mechanism is fixedly connected with the axle and is movable with the axle relative to the body of the vehicle. A shaft assembly connects the rack and pinion steering mechanism with a vehicle steering wheel. The length of the shaft assembly can be varied to accommodate movement of the rack and pinion steering mechanism and the axle relative to the body of the vehicle.