a cam locking assembly for an adjustable steering column . the assembly includes a tie bolt that is secured relative to the steering column . a lever member is positioned for rotation about the tie bolt . a caming unit is positioned about the tie bolt adjacent the lever member . the caming unit has a roller assembly positioned between a pair of opposed cam plates . one of the cam plates is associated with the lever member and rotates therewith and the other plate is fixed relative to such rotation . each cam plate has a plurality of ramped recesses on its internal surface such that rotation of the one plate causes the rollers to ride up the ramps such that the plates are pushed apart . the pushed apart ramps cause clamping upon the steering column to lock its position .