Date:         Mon, 7 Mar 2005 03:04:34 -0600
Reply-To:     Budd Premack <bpremack@MN.RR.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Budd Premack <bpremack@MN.RR.COM>
Subject:      Re: Disabling steering wheel lock
Comments: To: TJ Hannink <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

tjhannink@YAHOO.COM wrote:

> Has anyone disabled their steering wheel lock? What is the easiest way to
do it? >

There are two basic techniques for disabling the steering wheel lock.  The
easiest and fastest method to to use enough force to break the column lock
mechanism by inserting a screwdriver-type metal shaft into the keyhole and
turning it until it becomes loose.  Of course, you have then destroyed the
entire key lock assembly.  (We had to destroy the village in order to save
it.)

The other technique is more precise and allows continued use of the key
mechanism.  The procedure for removing the steering lock assembly is covered
in Bentley 94.2 - 94.4.  It includes a drilling procedure shown at figure 7.
This is necessary to create a hole so that a pin (or a nail) may be inserted
to put pressure on a small piece of spring steel so that the lock cylinder
can be removed.  Once the cylinder is removed, it will be obvious how to
disable the locking mechanism by removing the spring that holds it in place.

I have used both techniques, depending upon whether the situation called for
either speed or precision.  The Bentley method is quite straightforward, and
should be completed in 1-2 hours, including reassembly.


Budd Premack
88 Wolfsburg, 86 Syncro
Land of Sky-Blue (Still-Frozen) Waters
Minneapolis, MN