Steering Column: Description and Operation

Steering Wheel and Column Construction

This double tube type steering column has the following three important features in addition to the steering function:

- The column is energy absorbing, designed to compress in a front-end collision.
- The ignition switch and lock are mounted conveniently on this column.
- With the column mounted lock, the ignition and steering operations can be locked to inhibit theft of the vehicle.

To insure the energy absorbing action, it is important that only the specified screws, bolts and nuts be used as designated, and that they are tightened to the specified torque. When the column assembly (6) is removed from the vehicle, special care must be taken in handling it. Use of a steering wheel puller or a sharp blow on the end of the steering shaft, leaning on the assembly, or dropping the assembly could shear the plastic shear pins which maintain column length and position.

The driver air bag (inflator) module is one of the supplemental restraint (air bag) system components and is mounted to the center of the steering wheel (1). During certain frontal crashes, the air bag system supplements the restraint of the driver's and passenger's seat belts by deploying the air bags. The air bag (inflator) module should be handled with care to prevent accidental deployment. When servicing, be sure to observe Precautions on Service and Diagnosis of Air Bag System Precautions on Service and Diagnosis of Air Bag System:Advanced Air Bag or Precautions on Service and Diagnosis of Air Bag System Precautions on Service and Diagnosis of Air Bag System:Except Advanced Air Bag.