Construction is achieved wherein the front-end section of an outer column 18a can be assembled in the rear-end section of a housing 11a that houses an electric power steering apparatus 10a from below. At least the front-end section of the outer column 18a is formed into a U shape that is open on the top end. A connection and fastening section 36 that can be inserted inside the front-end section of the outer column 18a through an opening on the top end of the front-end section is provided on the rear-end section of the housing 11a. After the connection and fastening section 36 has been inserted inside the front-end section of the outer column 18a through the opening at the top end of the front-end section, fastening nuts 40 are screwed onto the tip end sections of fastening bolts 39 that are inserted in the left-right direction through portions near the top ends of the connection and fasting section 36 and the front-end section of the outer column 18a, and by tightening the nuts 40, the connection and fastening section 36 and front-end section of the outer column 18a are connected and fastened together.