Hi! 1st time on the board. How do I get the steering lock ***embly loose? The column is out. There appears to be a rivet on the clamp side of the housing. Do I drill that out? Thanks!
if it's like the '36 and '39 i have then it's a break away type bolt (the head breaks off after it's tight). drill a hole in it, use a easy out to un-screw it...also the lock has to be in the off position or the rod will be through the column housing. by the way you need to post an intro before you get flamed...........and welcome to the hamb.
If it is an orig col bolt in it, they are a "twist to break" type bolt. When they tighten the bolt, it would break off to prevent theft by removing it. You should be able to drill it with a smaller drill and use an "E Z out" to remove it. I have done a couple like that with no problem. Good Luck, Dave
Thanks guys!! I suspected something like that but didn't want to drill if there was a better way. I'll post an intro...thanks for the heads up.
Check this out: http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/1939ford-project.htm Resto of a '39-- believe that somewhere in there he covers working on that lock, which has SEVERAL Chinese puzzles to it if it needs to come apart...these things are serious fun to rebuild. My '48 has THREE of the breakaway bolts, one clamping the lock and two holding bracket to dash. NONE of mine broke away at ***embly! I guess the guy at that point on the Edgewater line was feeling a tad off that day, or just resentful that he had to work on Veterans' Day.
I drill a row of holes across the face of the bolt. Walking the bit from side to side produces a slot. Then use a flat blade screwdriver to unscrew the bolt. It allows the original bolt to be reused.
On my '39, I jimmied the lock pin up enough to slid the column tube off the shaft, using a flat screwdriver through the hole behind the lock ***embly. I then cut the collar off the steering shaft that the lock pin slides into. I now have a column that looks stock, but I won't ever have to mess with the lock again.
I tried cutting a slot with a dremel and using a screwdriver, but it didn't work. Then I drilled it and used an easy out with no problem. There are several pins I drilled, tapped, and knocked out with a slide hammer. I never did find a way to get out the large sliding pin itself though. I sent mine to the chromer as it was. Hopefully he's making out ok with it still in there.
i got my '36 apart but it was a pain.......when i got the screw chunk out, i drilled out a bigger hole, tapped it and used a set screw with lock***e so i can take it out again.
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