Help a Newb, URGENT

[ponner1us]

I took off my steering wheel to get the gauge cluster out(don't ask), anyway, put the steering wheel back on without putting the key in and turning to the first position. Now, the steering wheel is locked(won't come off or turn) and the ignition(key) won't turn. I know you have to turn the key to the first position to unlock the wheel but now I'm f'd, both ignition and wheel are locked. Any ideas?

[browntown]

should still be able to come off the hub, then reinstall

[ponner1us]

I can't get it off the hub for some reason.

[fretburnr]

push the wheel very hard away from you (towards the column) from the center of the wheel - the column is sprung on some cars, and you can usually find a little play by doing that ... try that while unlocking the key.

[volgapower]

push the wheel towards the gauges it should move a bit inside and then screw off... use somebodys help.. i had the same incident 2 days ago

[ponner1us]

Got it

Thanks to all, especially Volga. After taking off the nut for the 20th time, I pushed the steering wheel up towards the gauges as hard as I could and it finally popped off. Now I have it back on and everything is working as it should.:D
For future reference, if anyone has this problem, I figured out that Volga's trick of pushing it up instead of pulling it out gives the wheel some room to clear the locking pin on the steering column.

[xLibelle]

this annoys me because i find myself in frets position sometimes.. give HIM credit because he got it right first. /rant

[fretburnr]

thanks for lookin out, but dont worry about it man... he got the help needed

[ponner1us]

rant

I give Fret credit for suggesting something which I tried, unfortunately it didn't work, but at least he tried to help, which I give him credit for. I'm just pointing out that Volga's suggestion worked, so I singled him out.

Or maybe I read Fret's suggestion the wrong way and therefore didn't follow his instructions correctly, if I did, maybe I would have gotten it done sooner. Either way,

THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED, including Fret!!!! Seriously, it is much appreciated.

[volgapower]

always welcome to help if i can ;)
what credits u talkin about? what does that CREDIT mean?

[MikeE30325i]

hahahah the steering wheel on my bimmer locks with only around a 1/32 of a turn. then you have to put the key in and jiggle the steering wheel to unlock it.....fun times

[delatlanta1281]

this annoys me because i find myself in frets position sometimes.. give HIM credit because he got it right first. /rant

You're kidding.....

[xLibelle]

You're kidding.....

:rofl: