Unlocking the steering wheel

[jerods87e30]

DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW EXACTLY TO UNLOCK AN E30 STEERING WHEEL BY NOW USING THE IGNITION (KEY)?

Mine broke off in the ignition, and in order to replace the tumbler i'm going to have to get the steering wheel off so that I can get the plastic pieces that cover that stuff off.

SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE!!!

-J

[AndrewBird]

If you get the steering column cover off, you can push the lock down with a screwdriver. The lock is a little block of metal on the top of the column. Push it down and the steering will unlock.

Why do you need to unlock the wheel though? You don't have to to pull the steering wheel off.

I guess I'm just confused at what you are trying to accomplish.

[DaveSmed]

Yea, See that little notch in the metal face of the tumbler? Thats how you remove the cylinder. No pulling the column cover.

[jerods87e30]

Yea, See that little notch in the metal face of the tumbler? Thats how you remove the cylinder. No pulling the column cover.

yea, I mean, I see that little hole/notch. But how do you do it? I think it says exactly how in the bentley or something...what's the easiest way?

[DaveSmed]

yea, I mean, I see that little hole/notch. But how do you do it? I think it says exactly how in the bentley or something...what's the easiest way?

Ah crap, was afraid you were gonna ask that.... :p

So, I went out with a flashlight just now and did it! Ok, here's what you wanna do. Get the tumbler in the accessory position. Use a small allen key or large paperclip and insert it into that hole and wiggle it around while applying pressure. Now in your case, you might want to try grabbing the black ring and pulling it out with pliers or something, I just pulled on the key. ;) Popped right out after wiggling the crap out of the paperclip.

[jerods87e30]

Alright, I'll give that a try.

Wow, what a go-getter. Just goes out and tries it out on the car for pure curiousity and to help out a stranger. I like that, thanks


-J

[DaveSmed]

No problem, never took that apart before, was curious how it came out myself. ;)

Let me know how you make out with it. Make sure that paperclip/allen wrench is in there all the way though!

[Burning2nd]

wow so.... your wheel is locked and the key is broken off inside?

its supost to be just undo the nut turn to IGN 1 turn the wheel (cause it unlocks in ING 1) to the side and pull....

but your locked and the key is in there?

you need to remove the wheel to do a cylinder, ither turn switchs...
your gonna try and do tumblers? dont wanna have a diffrent Ignition key?

[jerods87e30]

Hey everybody I got a new tumbler from my parts car today, so it's just a matter of drilling out the old tumbler to remove it and install my 'new' one from the parts car.

Thanks for the info.

-J

[DaveSmed]

Hey everybody I got a new tumbler from my parts car today, so it's just a matter of drilling out the old tumbler to remove it and install my 'new' one from the parts car.

Thanks for the info.

-J

Careful with that drill! No other way to get it out huh?