removing steering wheel with lock engaged?

[E30nate]

is there any way to remove a steering wheel with the lock engaged? i was at the wrecker today and found an almost perfect m tech I wheel, but the wheel lock is engaged.

[Pinepig]

Should come off no problem, the locking mechanism is deeper in the column.

And it's half price at pick and pull this weekend ya lucky bastard.

[318isbmw]

Not that I know of. Take a hammer and a screwdriver to the ignition to try and get it to turn and unlock is my only idea.

[E30nate]

ya i tried the hammer and screwdriver idea. i was messing with it for like 30 mins with no luck. i might go back with a bigger hammer tomorrow and try again.

[318isbmw]

ya i tried the hammer and screwdriver idea. i was messing with it for like 30 mins with no luck. i might go back with a bigger hammer tomorrow and try again.

Gotcha, that's my only idea. And yes the locking mechanism is just a square piece that does go into the steering wheel, its not deeper in the column.

[E30nate]

Should come off no problem, the locking mechanism is deeper in the column.

And it's half price at pick and pull this weekend ya lucky bastard.

thats what i heard, but when we were there today it wasnt. the wheel is actually at another yard over in antelope though where they are having a half off weekend.

[ethree]

You need a cordless reciprocating saw. Then you just cut down between the wheel and the column. You can also try your key to see if it will unlock the column but you've probably wasted the ignition already.

[E30nate]

trying my key was the first thing i tried but someone already messed up the tumbler trying to do the same thing. i never thought of the sawzall idea. i will have to borrow one.

[BrewCity11]

Use a dremel tool. Either with a cutting bit on it, and swipe the locking pin from the side, or, if you have a large cutoff wheel, you could try that as well, with the dremel pointing down.

Another OR, you could notch the part of the streeing wheel on the back just right where the pin is, then just remember to alway keep you wheel cocked at a different angle when you lock up.

I was screwed at the junk yard a few weeks back. It was out of state and we didn't have the tools necessary. I ended up breaking an Mtech1 wheel in half trying to pry it off.

[bmw325csi]

At my local pick your part, I just ask for the keys, most of the time they will have em. Last time however, I asked for some iX keys to take off an m tech one and the guy busts out with a box filled with about 3000 bmw keys. About 2 hours later after seperating all the e30 keys I guess I got lucky and I found the key! Also got some M Tech key holders which look like they came from an m5/m6.

[Julien]

I hear that If you pry off the metal ring around the ignition you can pull it out. PM MR 325 he knows how to do it, he worked at a parts place.

Julien

[E30nate]

if you take out the ignition tumbler you still have the problem of the wheel lock being on. i might be able to disengage it though. i will have to try all ideas untill one works. thanks for all the input.

[2Big4a3Series]

Run a 3/8" drill bit through the entire lock. It will cut through the tumblers and the lock will move freely.

[E30nate]

the sawzall was the magic number. just cut a slit deep enough to break the locking pin and the wheel slid off. thanks for all the ideas. i picked up the wheel for $8. still has the m-tech badge on it.