Steering column with bearing and its attachment to the center tube
D - delivery lock
The steering column of all Škoda cars of the Octavia series can be adjusted in height and in the axial direction. The shaft consists of several parts, but as a mounting unit it cannot be disassembled. In the lower part of the shaft there is a cross, mounted on the fine-modulus control gear and fixed with a bolt that goes into the gear groove. The bolt simultaneously tightens the lower hinge cage. The upper part of the hinge continues with a short shaft to the second cross. The broken shape of the shaft also serves the purpose of safety in case of a frontal impact of a car.
The top of the steering column is also a safe design. The individual components of the upper part of the shaft are inserted one into the other in such a way that in the event of a collision they intercept the impact on the steering wheel. The upper tube carries the fastening elements, a control lock with a switch box and has a bearing for the shaft inside. The shaft also has elements of movement and tilt, including a caging mechanism.
The steering column is fixed on the central tube at three points. Two bolts threaded into a bracket located in front of the switch box (in driving direction), and bolted to the center tube console, and a bracket put on the pin of the same console in the front. This connection is secured on one side with a flat spring inserted into the console cutout, and on the other side with a vertically oriented bolt that does not allow the shaft to be pulled out of the lower grip. The connection is oscillating and allows the shaft to be tilted with a height adjustment of 44 mm. At the end of the bearing tube of the steering column, closer to the steering wheel, a steering lock combined with an ignition lock is fixed with two bolts with a tear-off head. Both parts are placed in an aluminum case, oriented after installation so that access to the lock is on the right side under the steering wheel.
Steering column assembly can be moved vertically (while tilting the shaft) and relatively reduce (lengthen) shaft in the horizontal direction by 45 mm. This mechanism is located closer to the steering wheel and is controlled by a common lever, the handle of which is located under the switch box. The lever either releases or compresses two small plastic gear discs that stop both vertical and horizontal movement. By deflecting the lever, you can press the steering wheel to move it, tilt it or move it back and forth.