How could a steering column break?

Somebody tried to steal the car while it was at their tow lot. The only way it could happen is intentionally and it's the most common way to start a car without a key.

Here's the bad news, good luck proving it. Your only shot is to try to figure out who their insurance company is and report it on your own to them. Or, if it makes sense with your comp deductible, call your insurance company have them pay for it up front and let them fight it out with their insurance.

The steering column is not designed to break in a front end collision (or any other collision for that matter.)

you should do slightly looking around below the front end. some autos have been geared up with a potential guidance stabalizer, a style of sideways marvel, if this blew out it would reason the guidance to melt plenty yet experience much less responsive much less controlled. seem for fluid (oily) residue around the thin end of the section. next examine the aspects the wheels are connrected to the guidance brackets for signs and warning signs of positioned on and tear, shinny aspects, spots sparkling of oil/grease. the Floating you describe could be a loose /damages tie tod end, nonetheless i might assume shaking, there could be a guidance columb coupler basically interior the engine compartment that joins the guidance kit to the columb that could have a broken rivot or bolt etc so learn this too.

its a design weak point. i would guess that wear an tear migh have changed the angle a little and put too much pressure on the weak point

three or more grown men thrashing against the wheel would break it

It is designed to break while absorbing force such as in a crash instead of impaling the driver.