Column Collapse Feature

Steering column is designed to collapse if impacted by driver during a collision. Steering shaft and column jacket are both 2-piece units which are internally injected with plastic. The plastic protrudes from holes in each unit keeping the 2 separate pieces held rigidly together as one unit. See Figure. If the column or steering wheel is forcefully impacted, the plastic pieces break off, allowing the column and shaft to collapse in an accident.