Steering column sheer bolts

Why are they sheer bolts, can they be replaced with normal bolts, will I die if I do?

Thanks

Ian

To stop the steering column being tampered with, coming loose.

I used decent bolts with nyloc nuts, that's if you don't want to replace with shear bolts again.


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Yeah just replace with normal bolts, at least you can then remove the column etc, should you want to.

I agree with all of the above but I still would like to know why VW used sheer bolts?

Anti theft issue isn't it?  makes it quite difficult to remove steering lock/ign switch assy quickly.

Thanks chaps.

Tension Control Bolts which are the ones where the heads snap[ off them are either to make sure the 'tension' or torque of the bolt is absolutely correct or to stop tampering.

I was wondering if the 'shear' bolts were to enable the bolts to break under massive load, ie impact, to allow the column to move out of the way to avoid you being speared in the chest.

Hence the dying bit of the question  

If it was all about shearing in an accident then I would have thought a normal headed bolt could have been used, unless they have a double shear and the first shear (which is weaker)  shears first to avoid weakening the second (accident) shear while tightening the bolt. I do reckon its just the anti theft thing.

my thoughts are you dont want the upper bolts to shear in a crash, ever. if they did then nothing stopping the whole column assembly spearing you in the chest.

so you absolutely, positively do not want the upper fixing of the column to move, but everything underneath needs to compress hence why the column is collapsible.

Thanks Gents,

Other discussions and logic quests have also come up with the same answer.

I suppose the next question is: 8.8 or 10.9 bolts?

Cheers

Ian

good question, if in doubt go stronger. VW have the shear bolts still for 3.62+VAT each if you're worried