Pinto Car Club of America
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => Pinto FAQ => Topic started by: pinto1955 on June 13, 2010, 07:37:16 PM
Has anyone ever fixed this problem with the streering column or know where to look to find the problem. My 72 stopped locking when you pull the key out which makes it difficult to tow on the trailer as the wheels won't stay straight. I've changed the column to one that does lock now but would like to fix the other to have a spare. Thanks
The pin that moves forward when turning the car on and backwards when turning the car off or into accessory only mode sits in a metal block that is pressed into the ignition "pack" or "ring". My guess is that the block the locking pin rides in has pushed itself out, or the pin has fallen out completely. The end that locks the steering wheel is bullet shaped and usually has some wear around the tip of it where the locking start on the steering wheel hits it. Perhaps it fell out and is on your floor somewhere?
The "pack/ring" is screwed/bolted to the actual column, I can't remember exactly how. When my ignition locked up on me due to jammed tumblers, there was no way for me to turn the key to remove just the cylinder and put a new one it, I had to go the junk yard and get a replacement pack/ring and replace that entire section of the column with a Mustang II one and paint it black to match the rest of the interior, no problems since though!
The pack/ring section of the column holds the ignition lock cylinder, upper steering shaft bearing (which sits in a rubber sleeve), the turn signal assembly, and the wheel lock assembly. I've removed all of them except for the wheel lock assembly, which I believe is a complete unit. However, if the block (as mentioned earlier) has been pressed out, you should be able to use some JB Weld where it sits and press it back in, it shouldn't come back out after that!
Can you take pictures of the bad column from the wheel mounting side of it? I've stared at wheel-less columns a lot, would be able to better tell what the problem is if I saw the unit.
I'll take a picture of it this weekend and either send it to you or post it. Thanks, Don