Importance

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Abstract

A telescopic steering column assembly comprises an upper and a lower shroud portion able to move relatively during telescopic adjustment, a telescopic steering shaft that passes through and is supported by the shroud portions through at least one support bearing assembly that acts between an upper portion of the telescopic steering shaft and a lower portion of the shroud that move relative to one another axially during telescopic adjustment. The at least one support bearing assembly comprises a first bearing race which is separate from the shroud portions and the steering shaft, a resilient spacer that applies a biasing force that is directed in a radial direction from the axis of the shaft and that is located between the first race and an adjacent face of one of the lower shroud portion and the upper shaft portion; a set of bearings, and a cage that locates the bearings relative to the first bearing race. The bearings bear onto a second bearing race that is defined by a surface of the other one of the lower shroud portion and the upper shaft portion, the second bearing face permitting the bearings to slide or roll in the direction of adjustment of the steering column assembly when it is adjusted for reach.

First Claim