A variable length steering spindle for a steering mechanism of a motor vehicle includes an outer sleeve, an inner member, a slide sleeve having recesses, and rolling bodies. The recesses and the rolling bodies are configured such that the rolling bodies project from the slide sleeve in a no-load state of the slide sleeve, and in an assembled state of the steering spindle the rolling bodies are prestressed against a raceway face and are displaced in a direction away from the raceway face against a reset force. The slide sleeve contacts the other of the outer sleeve and the inner member when a limit value of torque is exceeded. The rolling bodies are non-displaceable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the slide sleeve or are finitely displaceable between stops formed at distal ends of the recesses.