I have sent of for a IVA test for my MK Indy, but just realised i have not got "A collapsible element in the upper column".
is this necessary ? I cant decide after reading the IVA manual weather all the elements in section 14 are required or not.

My understanding is that it's a requirement to have a collapsable section in the steering column. How this is applied, as always, is down to interpretation - but I'd say either a UJ in the column itself or collapsable boss for an aftermarket steering wheel (or both!) should suffice.

Sierra column has the sliding triagular shaft, thats the collapsible bit

Thanks guys
Yes I have an off-set from the steering box to the UJ and the sliding triagular shaft, but as I understand it the collapsible bit in the outer sleeve is to absorb impact from the driver should he be thrown forword on to the wheel !

ford sierra steering column
Can anybody confirm if this a standard sierra steering column and if so will it pass the IVA in this form

[Edited on 3/8/11 by jrrsparky]

Looks like a Sierra adjustable column withe the adjustable bits removed

Although it looks different to mine, it looks similar enough and mine is okay. In an impact, the driver will hit the wheel and the wheel will move back, as the central shaft of the column is driven through the outer column and along the triangular sliding joint. As long as there is enough room between the back of the wheel boss and the outer column and also between the clamp on the triangular shaft and the triangular end of the inner shaft of the column, then you've got your collapsible section.

Thanks Steve
it looks as if we will be ok then.

You've got no collapsable element in the upper column there, that looks like a pathfinder paddleshift.
there is a couple of inches travel max before the steering boss hits the paddle tube, doubt very much mr IVA man will be happy with that.

I had to modify mine like this



on advise from Mitchams IVA tester

[Edited on 9-8-11 by Pezza]

I may be mistaken, bu from the original photo, the back of the boss appears to be able to fit through the hole in the paddles and looks like it would have reached its full travel before the wider part of the boss caught the paddles. I could be wrong though.

Hi Pezza
what car is that from

That's the upper element of a sierra column.

Thanks all for your replies,
Yesteday I rang Automotive solutions - MK and GBS and they all assured me that if I had a sierra steering wheel or one with equivalent padding that my steering column is ok