Description and Operation — Steering Column — Overview

Steering Column Overview

The steering column system consists of the following components:

• Steering Wheel
• SCCM
• Telescoping and Tilt Motors (Power Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column)
• Steering Column Control Switch (Power Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column)

The steering column is the mechanical link between the steering wheel and the steering gear. The steering wheel is attached to a shaft that runs through the center of the steering column to the intermediate shaft, which connects to the steering gear. The intermediate shaft and both steering column shafts use maintenance-free universal joints.

Vehicles with a manual tilt/telescoping steering column are equipped with a mechanical lever on the underside of the steering column to lock and unlock the steering column. When the lever is lowered, the steering column can be adjusted up or down and in or out to the desired position. While holding the steering wheel in the desired position, raise the lever to its original position to lock the steering column.

Vehicles equipped with a power tilt/telescoping steering column allow the steering column position to be adjusted using the steering column control switch. The steering column can be adjusted up or down and in or out to the desired position. The power tilt/telescoping steering column is also part of the driver memory function.