Description & Operation: Notes
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 20 other vehicles, including the 2001 Pontiac Firebird, 2001 Pontiac Bonneville, 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 2001 Chevrolet Impala, and 2001 Chevrolet Camaro. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Steering columns are designated as fixed or tilt column, and as column shift or floor shift. Column shift and floor shift columns are basically the same, except for the shift tube on column shift steering columns.
Steering column components are designed to collapse if impacted during a collision. Steering shaft, column jacket and shift tube (column shift) are 2-piece units injected with plastic to hold the 2 pieces together as one unit. If column and/or steering wheel are impacted, the injected plastic will shear, allowing the column assembly to collapse.