Abstract: An adjustable steering column construction in which a steering shaft is mounted within a column tube; a bracket having bracket members secures the tube to a vehicle; adjustment between tube and bracket is provided by slots preferably in antifriction elements; a clamping arrangement is provided which has a central clamping axis A which intersects the steering shaft axis B so that the clamping force to secure the tube relative to the bracket acts through the intersection resulting in a reduction of the downward extension of the construction including a clamping handle which preferably extends under the column tube.

Abstract: An antifriction element for use between two relatively sliding metal components of an adjustable steering column is locatable between the two components and is formed such that, in an unclamped state of the components, two opposed resilient angled flanges act to urge the components away from contact with one another to allow relative free sliding of the components on the element, which is of plastics material, and, in a clamped state of the components, the flanges are deflected to allow direct contact between surfaces of the metal components to provide the clamping friction.