Steering lock mechanism - FIXED

[Quickstop [UK]]

Hi guys,

I am trying to replace the lock cylinder as the old one was broken but I ran into some difficulties.

Basically, it all goes together but I can't seem to make the steering lock work. It seems like the locking pin isn't sticking out far enough and so it just spins.

I've taken it apart and reassembled it a few times and there is only one odd thing that stands out.

When the key is in the "lock" position, the wheel spins as the pin isn't sticking out far enough to lock into the wheel with all the holes in. It's parallel with the contact for the battery which seems to short.

However, if I then flick the lever, I can turn the key back another 1/8th turn and the locking pin protrudes but I can't then get the key out so it seems like something is a bit off.

I was waaaaay overtorquing the wheel - it's supposed to be 30 ftlbs in the manual.

This was supposed to be a 30 min job and I've wasted all night on it.

Can someone tell me where I am going wrong?

Thanks in advance.

 

[bezerk]

Re: Steering lock mechanism - please help

Re: Steering lock mechanism - please help

it goes in lock only with the keys out?

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Steering lock mechanism - please help

Re: Steering lock mechanism - please help

No - it doesn't lock unless the key is in and it is turned back extra far.

 

[SY2455]

Re: Steering lock mechanism - please help

Re: Steering lock mechanism - please help

You can try this.
1. Remove the lock cylinder again.
2. Look inside the area where the lock cylinder goes. Take note of the position of the tab that fits in the end of the lock cylinder.
3. Rotate the tab counter-clockwise 180* degrees. You should see the locking pin protrudes out a little more.
4. Put it back together and test.
This should fix your problem. I'm kind of getto telling you how to do it and it much easier for me to just do it, but you are too far away :rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf:.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Steering lock mechanism - FIXED

It turns out that the guy that did my alignment or someone else in the past didn't install a washer to press down the locking ring.

We made one up and now the wheel locks correctly and the lock cylinder has been replaced.

What a difference! It feels refined now! It never felt that good.

Thanks for reading.

 

[midnightbluS10]

Re: Steering lock mechanism - FIXED

It turns out that the guy that did my alignment or someone else in the past didn't install a washer to press down the locking ring.

We made one up and now the wheel locks correctly and the lock cylinder has been replaced.

What a difference! It feels refined now! It never felt that good.

Thanks for reading.

Steering wheels don't come off for alignments. :dunno:

 

[RealFastV6]

Re: Steering lock mechanism - FIXED

It turns out that the guy that did my alignment or someone else in the past didn't install a washer to press down the locking ring.

We made one up and now the wheel locks correctly and the lock cylinder has been replaced.

What a difference! It feels refined now! It never felt that good.

Thanks for reading.

Maybe I'm just misreading what you're saying... But... The locking plate shouldn't be held down by the nut on the shaft. The locking plate is held in place by a retaining ring - it sounds like maybe yours is missing? It's likely some hack removed it at some point and didn't reassemble correctly because it's a little bit of a pain and you really need the lock plate remover/installation tool to do it.

Best pic I could find in 2 sec on google- its for a Camaro but ours is identical:

http://ls1tech.com/forums/general-maintenance-repairs/1307904-steering-wheel-lock-ring-remover-dimensions.html

 

[Poconojoe]

Re: Steering lock mechanism - FIXED

Steering wheels don't come off for alignments. :dunno:

Some shops do it that way, instead of adjusting the tie rods to center the wheel

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Steering lock mechanism - FIXED

ReaFastV6 - It would appear that the ring you refer to is indeed missing - that explains a lot! Thanks for the link. Do you know if the dealers have spares or if they are easily obtainable? I might need to add that tool to my arsenal as well.

I have a Service Manual and I guessed that ours is a floor shift tilt column - the locking ring is hard to identify in the diagram so that's why I thought it was a washer.

As for the aligngment, I am fairly sure they had the wheel off but I think the ring was gone well before then.

It works for now, that's the main thing.

Merry Christmas

:cmas: