My brother has a 73' pinto stationwagon and has lost the key to the car and wants to replace the igntion tumbler. Can anyone tell me how it could be done?
Without the key, I think taking the tumbler out is going to be kinda ugly. IIRC, you had to put the key in, and then stick a pin or something in this little hole and turn the thing back a couple clicks and then pull it out. I'd pull out one of the door cylinders and take it to a locksmith and have him make up a key for it. On my 71, the ignition and side doors are one key, and the trunk is a different key.
Just did the one on my 74. I am not sure how it happened but the old owner had busted the tumbler so it would work without the key. So I am not sure if i needed the key in mine or not to remove the tumbler. You will have to take the steering wheel off. Then on mine there was a little hole I had to put a dentists pick into. It was the pick with the small 90 degree end on it. Then I think the key had to be turned to the ACC position. It was laid out step by step in the Factory Ford manual.
Jake
My brother doesn't want to go to the locksmith. Too much money. Just need to know how without a key
You could post up that you are looking for a whole another column. Someone on here has to have a couple of extra columns for sale. I am 99 percent sure there needs to be a key in there or its just going to be a knuckle busting adventure. Will the car start without the key in the ignition?
Jake
I think it would be worth at least checking into. It was less than $10 last time I had them do it.
Nah, the ignition is still solid.
Kinda limits your possibilities then.
Jake
BFH or locksmith or new column. Sorry buddy.
I dont know how much locksmiths are in your area, around here it only cost me 25 bucks to get the locksmith to make a key from the tumblers. Some of the better locksmiths have this weird wax stuff they squirt into the lock and get a pattern to make a key.
I have a steering column with key $35 plus shipping.
Trust me. It's no fun to do. I lost the keys to mine & had to replace the ignition to move the car. The best thing you can do is go to www.autozone.com & check their online repair manuals on a Fairmont I believe. The lock removal is the same process, but I will warn you, it is VERY time consuming.
When I did mine on my '74 I had no key, just pulled the steering wheel and looked at what I was going to do, had another mixed drink. Called a buddy who said he knew how to do everything (I think he lied), tried all sorts of ways to get the tumbler out. I just took a drill with a small bit and drilled out the hole where your suppost to put a small pick into for easy removal. It came out not to bad then. My friend who know's everything is in the process of putting the new tumbler back together, he wanted to know how they work, (caution, don't take new tumbler apart to see how they work), call around again to see if I can find another one, got lucky, one only 5 mi. away put it in and works like a charm ;D
I got the center nut off the steering wheel, but the steering wheel won't come off. Any tips?
Go down to your local auto parts store and buy or rent a steering wheel puller. You might get lucky by planting both feet on the floorboard and grabbing the steering wheel at each side. Pulling hard wiggle the steering wheel back and forth. Make sure to leave the center nut on a few turns or you will be making a trip to the dentist.
Jake
ok, got the steering wheel off, now what? Time is not an issue. I have plenty of it to fix my brother's car.
You got me. Without the key I am at a loss. It looks like Farmboy laid it out pretty well.
Jake
are there any photos where the small pick is suppose to go?
Yeah in the factory manual. I don't know if Chiltons or Haynes does. I have no way to scan. Right now I am at work and the manuals are at home.
Maybe someone else.
Jake
but are is there anyone who knows any method to remove the tumbler without the key?
Even up into the 90;s Fords They still use the same Tumbler set up...
Without the key you can;t push the pin to pull the tumbler.
At work I use a 3/32 drill bit and drill the centre of the pin then use a bigger bit to drill the rest off.
Good luck these pins are made of some super tough metal. :cheesy_n:
alright, well, I need to be able to remove the turn signal cancellor, but I'm having a little difficulty and I don't want to break it. Does it just slide out? or what?
You sound determined to get it out your self. Just be warned that if you screw up the housing drilling things out, it's junk after that.
You have the steering wheel off so now you have to get the turn signal switch out of the way. Unscrew the turn signal switch lever, disconnect the turn signal switch at the connector under the dash at the end of the column, take out the 3 philips head screws that hold the switch on and pull it up enough to clear the steering shaft and put it to the side. You don't have to pull it all the way out just out of the way. You should now be looking at sort of an empty bowl with the steering shaft in the center. If Pinto's had column shifts this would be called the shifter bowl. Inside at the upper right you will see a cylinder as part of the casting that the tumbler is in. You should see a little silver pin in a hole on the side of the cylinder. Center punch the pin and drill the pin out. Don't make the hole in the housing bigger of the new tumbler will feel loose like it wants to comeout. Next, break off the chrome piece at the end of the tumbler with a chisel or big screw driver. Looking at the end of the tumbler you will see there is an inner piece that the key goes into and an outer piece. You want to step drill the tumbler in the center to break out the tumbler pins. You will need a complete set of drill bits up to about 1/2" and a big drill motor. I use a 1/2" chuck Dewalt. Go straight down the center and just deep enough to get the pins out. If you hit the housing at all with the drill bit, it's ruined. You want to be able to turn the inside of the tumbler about a quarter turn clockwise and it will slide out.
sounds good, let's see if my brother will let me drill it out. :text_yb_lol:
I like this little car. Maybe I should get one of my own