a steering column tilt adjusting system for releasably locking a steering column assembly . the pawl is pivotally coupled to the rack and may be pivotally and slidably moved between fully compressed and fully extended positions . the system includes a pawl , a rack , and a pair of side slide plates . each of the pawl and the rack support a set of rack teeth . the pawl and rack , which are slidable relative to one another , permit adjustment of the system to a fully compressed locked position , a fully compressed unlocked position , a fully extended unlocked position or a fully extended locked position . in operation , the length of the adjustment system is unlocked , adjusted and relocked to cause the steering column steering wheel to be repositioned as the driver wants .