steering shaft

[kingsonlim]

Thanks to Matthew who pointed out to me the steering shaft on my 110 is knackered. New one is on order.

However, that sets me thinking why it has to be 2 sections, with a clamp thing in the middle, instead of just a straight rod/bar with splines either end?
If it is to absorb vibration, wouldn't the steering damper be sufficient?
If it is to allow movements, there are 2 UJ joints either end for that.

Can someone enlighten me??

Cheers!!

[davew]

The clamp thin in the middle is a collapsible section. In the event of a heavy frontal impact that joint allows the two halves of the shaft to move past each other, shortening the shaft rather than pushing the steering column into the passenger compartment.

There are a number of different versions of the shaft and there is a version that isn't collapsible but that should only be used on vehicles with a collapsible steering column (some Range Rovers). The steering column on a Defender has no collapsible section in it.

[kingsonlim]

thank you Dave....it now makes sense to me.....