The steering wheel and column components include the following
items:
| • | The horn pad or inflator module |
The locking, energy-absorbing steering column includes 3 important features
in addition to the steering function:
| • | The column is energy-absorbing. The column is designed to compress
in a front-end collision in order to minimize the possibility of injury to
the driver of the vehicle. |
| • | The ignition switch and the lock are mounted conveniently on the
column. |
| • | With the column-mounted lock, the ignition, steering, and gear
shifting operation can be locked in order to inhibit a theft of the vehicle. |
Notice: 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.
The column may be disassembled and reassembled. In order to ensure the
energy-absorbing action, use only the designated screws, bolts, and nuts.
Fasten the screws, the bolts and the nuts to the specified
torque. Apply a thin coat of lithium grease to all of the friction
points when assembling the steering wheel and column.
The following actions could shear or loosen the plastic fasteners that
maintain the column rigidity when the column is removed from the vehicle:
| • | A sharp blow on the end of the steering shaft |
| • | A sharp blow on the shift lever |
| • | Leaning on the column assembly |
