A steering column assembly comprising: a. a column tube ; b. a plate stop attached to the column tube ; c. a steering shaft supported for rotation at least in part by the column tube and having a longitudinal axis; d. a telescoping motor subassembly adapted for selectively driving the steering shaft , the column tube , or both, in a fore or aft direction generally along the longitudinal axis; and e. an energy absorption strip comprising a generally elongated body portion, a first end , and a curved portion joining the first end and the generally elongated body portion that forms an angle between the first end and the generally elongated body portion; wherein the elongated body portion of the energy absorption strip is located within the column tube , and the first end of the energy absorption strip is secured to the plate stop ; wherein the energy absorption strip is adapted to absorb energy by plastic deformation during the translation of the column tube during an impact exceeding a threshold load; wherein during the impact, the plate stop shears off the column tube and the first end of the energy absorption strip remains secured to the plate stop , causing the elongated body portion to deform; and wherein the telescoping motor subassembly remains generally fixed during the impact; and wherein the energy absorption strip is in a generally unwrapped state prior to deformation. a. a column tube ; b. a plate stop attached to the column tube ; c. a steering shaft supported for rotation at least in part by the column tube and having a longitudinal axis; d. a telescoping motor subassembly adapted for selectively driving the steering shaft , the column tube , or both, in a fore or aft direction generally along the longitudinal axis; and e. an energy absorption strip comprising a generally elongated body portion, a first end , and a curved portion joining the first end and the generally elongated body portion that forms an angle between the first end and the generally elongated body portion; wherein the elongated body portion of the energy absorption strip is located within the column tube , and the first end of the energy absorption strip is secured to the plate stop ; wherein the energy absorption strip is adapted to absorb energy by plastic deformation during the translation of the column tube during an impact exceeding a threshold load; wherein during the impact, the plate stop shears off the column tube and the first end of the energy absorption strip remains secured to the plate stop , causing the elongated body portion to deform; and wherein the telescoping motor subassembly remains generally fixed during the impact; and wherein the energy absorption strip is in a generally unwrapped state prior to deformation. wherein the energy absorption strip is adapted to absorb energy by plastic deformation during the translation of the column tube during an impact exceeding a threshold load; wherein during the impact, the plate stop shears off the column tube and the first end of the energy absorption strip remains secured to the plate stop , causing the elongated body portion to deform; and wherein the telescoping motor subassembly remains generally fixed during the impact; and wherein the energy absorption strip is in a generally unwrapped state prior to deformation. <EOS>