General Description - Steering Column

The steering wheel and column components include a steering wheel, horn pad or inflator module, steering column, and brackets.

The locking, energy-absorbing, steering column includes three important features in addition to the steering function.
1. The column is energy-absorbing, designed to compress in a front-end collision to minimize the possibility of injury to the driver of the vehicle.
2. The ignition switch and lock are mounted conveniently on the column.
3. With the column mounted lock, the ignition, steering, and gearshifting operation can be locked to inhibit theft of the vehicle.

The column may be disassembled and reassembled. To ensure the energy absorbing action, it is important that the specified screws, bolts, and nuts be used only as designated and they are tightened to the specified torque.

CAUTION: When the column is removed from the vehicle, actions such as a sharp blow on the end of the steering shaft or shift lever, leaning on the column assembly, or dropping the assembly could shear or loosen the plastic fasteners that maintain column rigidity.