STEERING COLUMN SYSTEM DETAILS

  1. CONSTRUCTION

    1. Manual Tilt and Telescopic Mechanism

      1. The tilt and telescopic mechanism consists mainly of the tilt and telescopic lever, column tube, column tube attachment, column tube bracket, breakaway bracket, and tilt and telescopic steering stopper.

      2. When the tilt and telescopic mechanism is in its locked state, the tilt and telescopic lever at the locked position causes the tilt and telescopic steering stopper to tighten the column tube attachment and column tube bracket. This secures the column tube, so movement in the tilt direction and in the telescopic direction is locked.

      3. When the tilt and telescopic mechanism is in its unlocked state, the tilt and telescopic lever at the unlocked position causes the tilt and telescopic steering stopper to loosen the column tube attachment and column tube bracket. This frees the column tube to move in the tilt direction and in the telescopic direction, enabling adjustment.

      4. A stepless adjustment enables the tilt mechanism to be tilted 4.54° vertically, and the telescopic mechanism to be moved 40 mm (1.57 in.) longitudinally.

        A011LKRE01
        Text in Illustration
        *1 Column Tube bracket *2 Column Tube Attachment
        *3 Tilt and Telescopic Steering Stopper *4 Tilt and Telescopic Lever
        *5 Breakaway Bracket *6 Column Tube
        *a Tilt *b Telescopic
        *c Unlocked Position *d Locked Position
        *e A-A Cross Section - -

    2. Energy Absorbing Mechanism

      1. The energy absorbing mechanism in the steering column assembly consists of a main shaft column tube and steering intermediate shaft.

      2. The steering column assembly is mounted on the instrument panel reinforcement. The steering column assembly and the steering gear assembly are connected with a contractile steering intermediate shaft.

      3. When the steering gear assembly moves during a collision (primary collision), the steering intermediate shaft contracts, thus helping reduce the possibility of the steering column assembly and the steering wheel assembly protruding into the cabin.

        A011LS5E01
        Text in Illustration (Primary Collision:)
        *1 Steering Intermediate Shaft *2 Steering Column Assembly
        *3 Breakaway Bracket - -
        *a Before Primary Collision *b After Primary Collision
        A011LLP Contract - -

      4. When a collision impact is transmitted to the steering wheel (secondary collision), the steering wheel and the driver's airbag help absorb the impact. In addition, the breakaway bracket separates, and the column tube contracts. At this time, the friction resistance of the sliding portion absorbs the energy. This sequential energy absorbing mechanism helps absorb the impact of the secondary collision.

        A011LMZE01
        Text in Illustration (Secondary Collision:)
        *A Models with 2AR-FE Engine *B Models with 2GR-FE Engine
        *1 Capsule (Plastic) *2 Breakaway Bracket
        *3 Column Tube *4 Inner Tube
        *a Before Secondary Collision *b After Secondary Collision
        A011LLP Contract - -

    3. Steering Wheel Assembly

      1. The steering shake damper is mounted to the steering wheel via a piece of rubber. This rubber mounting of the damper makes it possible for the vibration of the damper to cancel the vibration of the steering wheel assembly, thus improving driving comfort.

        A011LWSE01
        Text in Illustration
        *A Models without Paddle Shift Switch *B Models with Paddle Shift Switch
        *1 Steering Shake Damper - -
        A011LST Vibration Direction - -