trying to remove the lock and column drop so i can have some work done . oh and I dont have the key but might be able to get one made. thanks in advance.
I also have one witht he key and i cant get the lock cylinder to come out and there is this lil chrome plug on the side of assembly, how do you get it out , so you can remove the locking plug that goes into the hole in the steering shaft to lock the column, I totally messed one up along time ago and still couldn't figure it out. anyone know for sure ow to do this other then drill it out. I would like to reuse this stuff. and have it work like it is supposed to.
Did you try a search? I am sure I have seen a least one good thread on how to do Ford column locks. skip the year in the advanced search. Try Ford steering lock...in "search titles-only"...to get better results?
I seem to recall Dick Spadaro posted a great HOW TO on this a short while ago either here or on www.fordbarn.com
If the thing isn't just a block of rust... Remove the cylinder by finding the pin that holds it in at back or bottom of cylinder area. It can usually be extracted after drilling a small hole in center, drill slowly and stop at first trace of brass. Get plug wiggled out, cylinder will have its key code stamped on it. Original cylinder is much better than available repro ones, and you can usually get them functional by thorough washing out of accumulated crud using light oil or solvents. Once cylinder is out you can work the bolt through the hole and unlock steering so you can easily slide off the column jacket. Next entertainment is figuring out a way to remove the break-off bolt in the clamp, and once you get that out you need to very gently spread the casting at the clamp. Original bolt though clamp (and at least one of the bolts holding drop to dash) had a hex head that snapped off when it was tight, providing you with hours of amusement extracting the thing. New break-away bolts are available so you can pass on the trouble to some future owner!
The Jalopy Journal
