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Location:
Perth
Registered:
September 2004
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Collapsible Steering Columns
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Tue, 19 July 2005 15:08
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Q: Is is safe to restore a compacted/extended column to its correct length and use it?
Below is how i understand collapsible steering columns to work
I gathered information from 2 trusted mechanics and an hour or so on google.
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Collapsible Steering Columns 101
Early Toyota collapsible steering columns operate by having 2 sections to a steering column, an upper and a lower part where one fits inside the other in a telescopic fashion. The two parts have aligning holes that are filled with nylon/plastic that holds the two sections of the column in place, yet with sufficient force (eg a crash) will shear and allow the column to compact.
It is probably worth pointing out that I am under the impression that these plastic bits only shear from tensile/compression forces on shaft and not the actual twisting of the column as the sections have some sort of interlocking to prevent that.
Its also worth noting that when you try and pull out the column and it becomes stuck on the steering box, you can shear the plastic retainers and extend the column.
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