Steering when engine off?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 469
Likes: 24
From: Kansas City KS
Steering when engine off?
I ran into this problem the other day, basically my car was dead (due to one of the battery cables accidentally working loose, which I found out later), so I tried to put it in neutral and push it out of the way...but I couldn't, because the steering wheel basically refused to turn left or right. Is there any way to steer when the engine is off? I figure that there has to be a way (or something is broke on my car), otherwise if the car died in motion you'd be totally screwed. Thanks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 469
Likes: 24
From: Kansas City KS
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 469
Likes: 24
From: Kansas City KS
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
If you were able to put the transmission in "neutral", then the steering wheel lock was disengaged. But, to get the steering to move, you will have to get the car in motion, first. You would have to be Ahh--nold...30 years ago... to move that wheel if the car were not moving at all.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 469
Likes: 24
From: Kansas City KS
If you were able to put the transmission in "neutral", then the steering wheel lock was disengaged. But, to get the steering to move, you will have to get the car in motion, first. You would have to be Ahh--nold...30 years ago... to move that wheel if the car were not moving at all.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
these things are hard to steer with engine off but not that hard. My wife was able to steer the 78 with some effort while I pushed it. She is 5-6 and 135.
My point is that it takes some good effort but if you are ripping the wheel off maybe there could be an issue?
My point is that it takes some good effort but if you are ripping the wheel off maybe there could be an issue?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 111
From: Saginaw Michigan
There is a slight amount of clearance between the locking bolt and the toothed locking plate inside the steering column head. Try rotating your steering wheel back and forth. If the locking bolt is engaging the locking plate you should hear metallic click and feel a mechanical stop as the plate stops against the bolt.
Jim
Jim