Automotive Service Technician Period 1 Practice Exam

These shafts are designed to telescope and absorb impact energy in a crash, so the connection between the two sections must hold during normal steering but still allow controlled collapse when needed. An injected plastic part serves as a molded coupling between the inner and outer shaft pieces. This plastic insert centers and binds the two sections, providing a smooth, low-friction interface for sliding and aligning them during normal operation, while also acting as a sacrificial, energy-absorbing element that can deform or shear in a crash to permit the telescoping action. Bolts would lock the pieces together and prevent any telescoping, a welded sleeve would make the column non-collapsible, and clamps, while possible, aren’t as reliable for maintaining alignment and controlled energy absorption. The injected plastic approach combines proper alignment, smooth motion, and crash-energy performance in a compact, economical way.