Production method for a modular steering column having extruded profiled elements

A method for producing a steering column for a motor vehicle, the steering column comprising an inner steering column tube for receiving a steering shaft such that the steering shaft is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft;

• an outer steering column tube that receives the inner steering column tube and includes a longitudinal slot that extends in a direction of the longitudinal axis;
• a clamping apparatus that is switchable between a release position in which the inner steering column tube is adjustable with respect to the outer steering column tube and a fixing position in which the inner steering column tube is fixed with respect to the outer steering column tube, wherein the clamping apparatus comprises a clamping axle that is guided through a recess in the outer steering column tube transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal slot has a greater width in the release position than in the fixing position, the method comprising:
• manufacturing a single blank of the outer steering column tube using an extrusion process;
• cutting the single blank to a required length;
• producing a predefined number of recesses at a predefined spacing from an end side of the single blank of the outer steering column by way of a metal cutting operation for configuring functional elements in the outer steering column tube;
• manufacturing a single blank of the inner steering column tube using an extrusion process;
• cutting the single blank of the inner steering column tube to a required length and reducing a cross-sectional area of the single blank of the inner steering column tube by up to 30% in each length region of the inner steering column tube;
• and
• attaching components to the steering column.