Steering wheel will not lock
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Steering wheel will not lock
I'm looking to replace my 72 standard steering column with a tilt/tele column. I purchased a column, and took it apart to repaint.
After putting it back together, I'm noticing that when it should be locked, it doesn't lock well. I doesn't seem like the rod is engaging the lock ring enough. I tried working some lithium grease in by working the rod with a screwdriver, but that doesn't seem to be improving things.
Could this be a bad/worn spring? Is there any way to fix this without taking the housing completely apart?
Also, my car is currently in the shop for some repairs. I plan on taking the column up to them to swap it out. So, I don't have an ignition cylinder in the column. If I put everything back together without an ignition cylinder, they can simply put the old one in - correct? You can put a new ignition cylinder into a fully assembled column - can't you?
Would not having an ignition cylinder in the column cause the lock rod to not engage the lock ring correctly?
After putting it back together, I'm noticing that when it should be locked, it doesn't lock well. I doesn't seem like the rod is engaging the lock ring enough. I tried working some lithium grease in by working the rod with a screwdriver, but that doesn't seem to be improving things.
Could this be a bad/worn spring? Is there any way to fix this without taking the housing completely apart?
Also, my car is currently in the shop for some repairs. I plan on taking the column up to them to swap it out. So, I don't have an ignition cylinder in the column. If I put everything back together without an ignition cylinder, they can simply put the old one in - correct? You can put a new ignition cylinder into a fully assembled column - can't you?
Would not having an ignition cylinder in the column cause the lock rod to not engage the lock ring correctly?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Yes, you can just snap a lock cylinder into a complete steering column.
Without a lock cylinder in your T&T column, how do you know that the locking bolt is not moving far enough to engage the toothed lock plate?
Jim
Without a lock cylinder in your T&T column, how do you know that the locking bolt is not moving far enough to engage the toothed lock plate?
Jim
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Thanks Jim.
I was manually pulling the ignition switch rod.
After reading your post, I figured I'd go take another look at it. I removed the ignition switch, and when I pulled the rod with the switch removed, the column locked up nice and tight. So I figured out that it was the ignition switch was improperly adjusted, and the switch would not let the rod move far enough down to lock properly.
I slid the ignition switch into the full down position, and then manually pulled the rod down to where it was locked well. I then put the ignition switch back on.
I found your paper for adjusting the ignition switch, but it requires a lock cylinder. Will the above work? Or do you know of a way I can properly adjust the ignition switch without a lock cylinder?
Thanks!
Matt
I was manually pulling the ignition switch rod.
After reading your post, I figured I'd go take another look at it. I removed the ignition switch, and when I pulled the rod with the switch removed, the column locked up nice and tight. So I figured out that it was the ignition switch was improperly adjusted, and the switch would not let the rod move far enough down to lock properly.
I slid the ignition switch into the full down position, and then manually pulled the rod down to where it was locked well. I then put the ignition switch back on.
I found your paper for adjusting the ignition switch, but it requires a lock cylinder. Will the above work? Or do you know of a way I can properly adjust the ignition switch without a lock cylinder?
Thanks!
Matt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
With your 1972 Vette you should be able to move the lever on the lower end of the steering column (out under the brake master cylinder) to the DOWN position. Now push the ignition switch rod back up into the column head, (without the switch installed on the end of the rod). When it stops, this should be the OFF position inside the steering column.
Note the five positions of the ignition switch are as follows: START, RUN, OFF, OFF-LOCK, and ACCESSORY.
Now take the ignition switch and move the slider inside the switch until it is in the OFF position as well. Move the slider against the positive stop which would be the ACCESSORY position - not the START end of the movement where you can feel the spring pushing back. With the switch at the positive end position, move the slider back two positions from ACCESSORY, that would be the OFF-LOCK and then the OFF position.
Now your column and your switch are both in the OFF position. Carefully install the switch on the ignition rod without changing the slider position. Carefully install the switch on the column jacket. The switch and the steering column itself should both be synchronized without the lock cylinder installed.
Jim
Note the five positions of the ignition switch are as follows: START, RUN, OFF, OFF-LOCK, and ACCESSORY.
Now take the ignition switch and move the slider inside the switch until it is in the OFF position as well. Move the slider against the positive stop which would be the ACCESSORY position - not the START end of the movement where you can feel the spring pushing back. With the switch at the positive end position, move the slider back two positions from ACCESSORY, that would be the OFF-LOCK and then the OFF position.
Now your column and your switch are both in the OFF position. Carefully install the switch on the ignition rod without changing the slider position. Carefully install the switch on the column jacket. The switch and the steering column itself should both be synchronized without the lock cylinder installed.
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Whoops!
I somehow confused your standard steering column with the T&T that you just purchased. It is the T&T that you want to synchronize the ignition switch to the steering column.
First of all, the ignition switches are different between a standard
column and a T&T. The switches work in opposite directions. So with your T&T, first move the lower lever DOWN. Now push down on the ignition switch rod (the opposite from what I told you before.) Now when it stops you are in the OFF position. Now set your ignition switch slider as I mentioned before (making sure you have the correct model ignition switch.) Move the slider two positions away from the solid stop at the end of travel (not the spring return end of travel). Now carefully install the switch on the rod and then the switch onto the column jacket.
Sorry about the misinformation.
Jim
I somehow confused your standard steering column with the T&T that you just purchased. It is the T&T that you want to synchronize the ignition switch to the steering column.
First of all, the ignition switches are different between a standard
column and a T&T. The switches work in opposite directions. So with your T&T, first move the lower lever DOWN. Now push down on the ignition switch rod (the opposite from what I told you before.) Now when it stops you are in the OFF position. Now set your ignition switch slider as I mentioned before (making sure you have the correct model ignition switch.) Move the slider two positions away from the solid stop at the end of travel (not the spring return end of travel). Now carefully install the switch on the rod and then the switch onto the column jacket.
Sorry about the misinformation.
Jim
