How to check if steering column has collapsed?

[Mr Polson 10,214]

Hey all,

 

Want to use the steering column from my Ghia wagon to put in my GL wagon, but need to know if its safe/useable after the impact it was in.

 

As most of you know it was a decent impact, but the rear absorbed most of the impact, and any front damage was forward of the shock towers.

 

Is there a simple/easy way to check if the column collapsed in the crash?

 

I was wearing my seatbelt and I'm pretty sure my body didn't hit the steering wheel, but want to be sure.

[FORD_MAN 1,026]

the steering shaft just moves inwards/outward in side it's self, its a 2 peice shaft with a inner shaft and outer shaft.

eg manual steering column into P/S car just bolt to steering box and pull toward you till lines up with studs and bolt up.

[Mr Polson 10,214]

I know about the adjustment allowed for the different steering boxes, but would've thought that the safety collapsing part would be separate to those?

[FORD_MAN 1,026]

Na its the same part, in the event of a major collision the inner shaft will push up in side the outer,

Ford doesn't spend extra money on having an adjustment for either manual or P/S and a safety funcition when the one will do both.