A collapsing steering column assembly comprising: a. a column tube; b. a steering shaft that is supported for rotation at least in part by the column tube; c. a bracket for at least partially carrying the column tube; d. an energy absorption plate comprising: i. a first end and a second end; ii. an arcuate segment; iii. a first generally flat segment between the first end and the arcuate segment; iv. a second generally flat segment between the second end and the arcuate segment; wherein the first generally flat segment is situated generally parallel to the second generally flat segment and faces away from the column tube; wherein the second generally flat segment is secured to the column tube; wherein the first generally flat segment includes one or more features for engaging with a fastener to lock the column tube in position in the steering column assembly; e. a manually operated steering wheel adjustment subassembly including a lever for manually actuating the steering wheel adjustment subassembly, said subassembly being adapted for a) selectively adjusting the steering shaft, column tube, or both, in a fore or aft direction generally along the longitudinal axis; b) selectively raising or lowering the steering shaft, column tube, or both; or c), both a) and b), said manually operated steering wheel adjustment subassembly also including f. a spring-biased fastener arranged generally perpendicularly to the column tube and having a tip that engages with or is received within the one or more features of the first generally flat segment of the energy absorption plate to lock the column tube in position in the steering column assembly; wherein the spring-biased fastener is actuated by the lever. a. a column tube; b. a steering shaft that is supported for rotation at least in part by the column tube; c. a bracket for at least partially carrying the column tube; d. an energy absorption plate comprising: i. a first end and a second end; ii. an arcuate segment; iii. a first generally flat segment between the first end and the arcuate segment; iv. a second generally flat segment between the second end and the arcuate segment; wherein the first generally flat segment is situated generally parallel to the second generally flat segment and faces away from the column tube; wherein the second generally flat segment is secured to the column tube; wherein the first generally flat segment includes one or more features for engaging with a fastener to lock the column tube in position in the steering column assembly; i. a first end and a second end; ii. an arcuate segment; iii. a first generally flat segment between the first end and the arcuate segment; iv. a second generally flat segment between the second end and the arcuate segment; wherein the first generally flat segment is situated generally parallel to the second generally flat segment and faces away from the column tube; wherein the second generally flat segment is secured to the column tube; wherein the first generally flat segment includes one or more features for engaging with a fastener to lock the column tube in position in the steering column assembly; wherein the first generally flat segment is situated generally parallel to the second generally flat segment and faces away from the column tube; wherein the second generally flat segment is secured to the column tube; wherein the first generally flat segment includes one or more features for engaging with a fastener to lock the column tube in position in the steering column assembly; e. a manually operated steering wheel adjustment subassembly including a lever for manually actuating the steering wheel adjustment subassembly, said subassembly being adapted for a) selectively adjusting the steering shaft, column tube, or both, in a fore or aft direction generally along the longitudinal axis; b) selectively raising or lowering the steering shaft, column tube, or both; or c), both a) and b), said manually operated steering wheel adjustment subassembly also including a) selectively adjusting the steering shaft, column tube, or both, in a fore or aft direction generally along the longitudinal axis; b) selectively raising or lowering the steering shaft, column tube, or both; or c), both a) and b), said manually operated steering wheel adjustment subassembly also including f. a spring-biased fastener arranged generally perpendicularly to the column tube and having a tip that engages with or is received within the one or more features of the first generally flat segment of the energy absorption plate to lock the column tube in position in the steering column assembly;