Lincoln Nautilus: Steering Column / Steering Column - Overview. Description and Operation

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, pulling the lever up to its original position locks the steering column.

Vehicles with the power tilt/telescopic steering column are controlled by operating the steering column control switch, using the steering column tilt/telescopic motors to achieve the desired steering column position. 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, positioning the seat, column and mirrors to programmed positions.

Vehicles with adaptive steering have a SECM that is contained in the steering wheel housing. The SECM changes the steering ratio based on vehicle speed and the direction of steering wheel rotation. At low vehicle speeds, the SECM actuates the adaptive steering motor to add clockwise or counterclockwise rotations to the steering shaft, which enables the driver to control the direction of the vehicle with fewer rotations of the steering wheel.
Refer to: Power Steering - Vehicles With: Adaptive Steering (211-02 Power Steering) .