Date:         Thu, 29 Oct 1998 14:07:27 -0800
Reply-To:     Tom Young <young@SHERLOCK.SIMS.BERKELEY.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Tom Young <young@SHERLOCK.SIMS.BERKELEY.EDU>
Subject:      Re: ignition key/lock mechanism
Comments: To: Mark Gajewski <mgajewski@MANVILLERUBBER.COM>
Comments: cc: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
In-Reply-To:  <3638C5AD.43E4512A@manvillerubber.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Mark:

Letting the dealer rape you is almost always a bad idea... Ouch!!!

Not sure what year Vangon you're talking about here, but I've removed the
mechanism from 3 different air-cooled vans, and it's really not too hard.
Didn't need a puller either.  Once you remove the clamping bolts (first
the steering wheel, turn signal switch, etc.) I've found the housing will
slide off pretty readily, maybe with some gentle round-and-round tapping
with a small hammer.

The only "hint" I can offer is to make sure you put the key in the
ignition to unlock the steering wheel locking mechanism.


On Thu, 29 Oct 1998, Mark Gajewski wrote:

> Does anyone have any experience in removing the igniton key/steering
> wheel lock mechanism.  Is a special pulling tool really necessary?  I
> need to change the electrical switch and am wondering if I should buy
> the $25 part and try it myself, or should I let the dealer rape me.  Or
> would I not be ahead after buying special puller etc. anyway?

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Tom Young               young@sherlock.SIMS.Berkeley.EDU
Lafayette, CA  94549    '81 Vanagon
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