RE shear bolts at the steering colluum :

good theory Rich,
and that might be the reason, torque control,
but then why not throughout the rest of the van ? ?
like say ROD BOLTS - certainly very critical.

at the factory it's all power torque wrenches and now even robots.
.  . ..ever notice yellow splotches of paint on the bolts in a Honda or
Mercedes ( i think ) ?  - that is to indicate it
was torqued.

and theives, some certainly must be smart,
but a lot are not.
they destroy things, get in a hurry.

They will accidently steal something of no use,
like a coded radio,
or a radio with another essential component hidden someone else.

rationality does not apply to miscreants ( is that the right word ? ). .
. some word close to that, u know what i mean.

 scott

I still am going with anti-theft.