OT: Defeating Steering Column Locks

L.C.Gray · Aug 16, 2015

Ok I see a lot more general experience and help on here than any of the other Forums I'm on.

I have a 73 Ford I recently bought and drug home. I got the keys with it but they were very worn and I can't get the ignition switch to turn and
unlock the column. I've done everything I know or can think of and I'm still locked up. So far I have wiggled and jiggled the wheel, shifter and
key, flushed out and lubed the lock cylinder,consulted Ford Service, consulted a locksmith, pulled the door locks retrieved the key code and
had a new key made.

I'm going to put a new lock cylinder in it when I can ever get this one out, but to get it out you have to turn it to the run position first. I guess I'm
down to drilling the cylinder out unless anyone here can tell me anything else.

Steve A W · Aug 16, 2015

Slide hammer !

Tom in TN · Aug 16, 2015

L.C.

Good luck drilling out that cylinder. I bought an old 1972 Buick one time that had no keys with it. I tried pulling the cylinder with a slide hammer, but had no luck getting it out. I ended up drilling the cylinder but it was very hard. After much drilling and hammering with a small cold chisel, I enventually got the cylinder out, but it was a real ordeal.

If you do decide to drill it, be prepared to spend a signicant amount of time doing so.

Tom in TN

Don-Wi · Aug 16, 2015

and don't forget, once you commit to that, you're committed. No backing out when it's 1/2 way drilled...

Donovan from Wisconsin

shaun wallace · Aug 16, 2015

Still have pull steering wheel to remove screw that holds it in.

504 · Aug 16, 2015

The advice my brother will give you is call a locksmith,after you screw up the column with a drill, it would have been a lot cheaper. BTW, The door keys are not the same as the switch.

greenmech · Aug 16, 2015

I think on those you need to remove the steering wheel and there should be a release for the lock inside the column. Ron Mn

Sam Womer (PA) · Aug 16, 2015

If you mean the lock that prevents the steering wheel from being turned it engages a plate under the steering wheel. If you remove the wheel you may be able to see what is wrong. You can pull the lock out with a slide hammer. HTH

Steve@Advance · Aug 16, 2015

Been a long time, but best I remember, Fords have to be drilled. There is a T shaped head inside the column that has to be in the on position to remove it. Drill the guts out of the cylinder until it can be turned, then it will come out. Trying to force it will destroy the aluminum collar part of the column.

showcrop · Aug 16, 2015

It was very apparent that the thieves who stole my buddies truck when we were up inQuebec a year and a half ago, used a slide hammer, and it worked very quickly.

L.C.Gray · Aug 16, 2015

Yes, on this year/model they are

L.C.Gray · Aug 16, 2015

There is a spring loaded release pin in the cylinder. It is accessible after pulling the steering wheel and placing the switch in the run position. I just have to get it in to run position.

L.C.Gray · Aug 16, 2015

Locksmiths say it's a mechanic job not a locksmith job.

tractorguy2 · Aug 16, 2015

I used to change a lot of those. haven't touch one in 8 years. Not sure I remember everything.

The steering wheel has to come off. Then the snap ring and then the plate that locks the steering wheel.

Gambles · Aug 16, 2015

A few years ago, I spent a couple of hours drilling out the tumblers on a '78 Mercury Zephyr. (Don't laugh too hard) I was careful, had a brewsky or two in the mean time and I vacuumed up the metal shavings when I was done. But I did get a new set of tumblers in there without any other damage.

MichiganMike · Aug 16, 2015

Have you tried to push/pull the cylinder casing in while doing what you have done? A friend I know told me to flush my mother's cylinder with brake cleaner then graphite powder. I ask, could I spray starting fluid. He said that would work. I was leery of the brake cleaner eating something, that I didn't want it to. Sprayed it out then sprayed a graphite spray on the key both sides. Should have had a straw but did not. It has not given any problems since. It being a new to you truck. You never know what type of gummy lube has been sprayed in it. Good Luck...MTP

L.C.Gray · Aug 17, 2015

Yes, that's to access the release pin, but still have to get key turned to the run position before the release pin is accessible.

Jerry F · Aug 17, 2015

Locksmith here.. Call a different locksmith. Ignition likely does not have to come out or be drilled. If the correct key was given to you, a competent locksmith can de-code that key and cut a new key by code. If that fails to do the job On a 73 ford a new key is relatively easy to impression. Ford locks from that era are one of the easiest to impression. Either way you get a new key and no need to tear stuff up.
The reason the code on the passenger door lock did not work was likely since 73 someone put a different lock in it at some point. maybe its not even the original door or column. Happens all the time.

James Williams · Aug 17, 2015

I was working on a car of the same vintage.The tumblers were bad and I needed to replace it.The instructions was to push the key in turn the swich and insert a wire into a little hole and pull the locking meckemism out.FINE,but the key would not go in and I couldn't turn the lock.I called all the locksmiths I knew.Finally the Ford garage told me to insert key,take a hammer and drive the key all the way in,put a pair of channel locks around the switch and turn and presto it worked

jimmy

jimg.allentown · Aug 17, 2015

A slide hammer will definitely remove the cylinder. It will also definitely damage the part that the cylinder fits into (the locking collar). After that, you can either replace the damaged parts or find another way to get it out.
Ford locks are easy to pick. I use a pick set to pick the lock and once it is in the run position, it can be easily released.
As I recall (not sure going back to 1973), there is a hole in the bottom of the steering column that allows access to the retaining pin without any other disassembly.

caterpillar guy · Aug 17, 2015

Pull steering column and go to the drill press or the locksmith. I would go to the guy telling me it is easy. Then watch as he does it.

OT: Defeating Steering Column Locks

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