Ford Explorer: Steering Column / Description and Operation - Steering Column - Overview

Steering Column Overview

The steering column system consists of the following components:

• Steering wheel
• SCCM
• Telescopic and tilt motors (power adjustable steering column)
• Steering column control switch (power adjustable steering column)

The steering column is the mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the steering gear. The steering wheel is mounted to a shaft which passes through the center of the steering column to the intermediate shaft, which connects to the steering gear. The intermediate shaft and steering column shaft both utilize non-servicable U-joint type couplings.

Vehicles with the manual tilt/telescopic steering column are controlled by a mechanical lever on the underside of the steering column to lock and unlock the steering column. When the lever is pulled down, the steering column can be adjusted up or down and in or out to the desired position. While holding the steering wheel in the desired position, lift the lever up to its original position to lock the steering column in place.

Vehicles eqiuipped with the power tilt/telescopic steering column control the steering column position using the steering column control switch. The steering column can be adjusted up or down and in or out to the desired position. The power tilt/telescopic steering column is also part of the driver memory feature.