Rescued a rust-free 73 Squire from certain doom in a junkyard; am beginning the restoration (or restomod, haven't decided yet) process. The car has no keys, though, and I'm trying to figure out how to unlock the steering column so it can be steered into the garage. The ignition switch area and metal collar are already fairly trashed. Any help is welcome!
--chris j.
I had to swap ignition switches in my mustang and the only thing i can say is take a flat screwdriver and beat and pick until you get it to turn. Or just take the steering wheel off and put tape over the little rod on the top area of the column (thats what locks the steering).
The lock area is prone to permanent damage if the lock is beat on. I would suggest removing the colunm and bring it to a locksmith.
Bill
another thing to do would be to pull out one of the door lock tumblers and take it to the local locksmith.
krazi
Actually, from looking at it I'm pretty sure the lock area has already suffered permanent damage. I was assuming I'd have to replace the steering column, or at least the metal collar and ignition switch, because it's all pretty torn up already.
-Chris J.
Quote from: 77turbopinto on April 25, 2007, 07:08:20 AM
The lock area is prone to permanent damage if the lock is beat on. I would suggest removing the colunm and bring it to a locksmith.
Bill
As an ex repo man this ones simple.Take a thin stiff plastic card a drivers licence works good.on the top where the wheel meets the column slide the card between the wheel and column with a back and forth motion.The lock pin will retract and as long as the card is in there you can turn the wheel.This works on older ford and merc.
I had this problem once when a tumbler went bad. Remove the steering wheel and press in the little pin that holds the tumbler in place and it will pop out. Then you can use a screw driver to turn the pinion to unlock the colomn and start it if it will. The steering lock pin is spring loaded as earthquake says but you run the risk of it popping out and locking when it might not be convenient. Good quickie though.
High_Horse
Woo-hoo! That did it! Thank you, Earthquake!
Quote from: earthquake on April 25, 2007, 11:24:39 PM
As an ex repo man this ones simple.Take a thin stiff plastic card a drivers licence works good.on the top where the wheel meets the column slide the card between the wheel and column with a back and forth motion.The lock pin will retract and as long as the card is in there you can turn the wheel.This works on older ford and merc.
You should not try to drive the car this way for any reason this trick is just to move it around when keys aren't available.
I can see why--it's pretty precarious. This car isn't going anywhere under her own power for a good long time though. I just need to get her into the garage so she can be put on jackstands and stripped down preparatory to resto. :) By the time she leaves the garage she'll (hopefully) have a new steering column and keys. Thanks again.
I have 2 complete lock sets for a wagon.
I might be interested in one of them, assuming there are keys. Do you have one of the metal collars that goes around the column just behind the steering wheel, also? (The exterior trim piece; color doesn't matter)
Hey PorchSwing
I'm sorry for the delay gettin back to you about this.We just found out my Mother in law has cancer,things have been hectic.I do have a full set of locks including glove box lock.I also have a couple of the collars you seek.collar and locks $40.00 shipped.