How to "disable" steering column lock?

[Tony Raine]

I need to move a few parts B2's that i have acquired, but there is a good chance i wont have keys (which is ok, because they are getting chopped up for parts)

how do i unlock the steering wheel so I can turn it with the ignition off? i heard somewhere that you can stab a screwdriver down at 12 o'clock, right behind the steering wheel and there is a tab you can break off.

i don't want to completely FUBAR the column, as i want to sell them.

thoughts? advice?

 

[TheTopher]

I'm not going to mention on here how to do it, but the RBV ignition is EXTREMELY easy to pick. I can unlock mine and have it started it under a minute without the key and without damaging anything. Again I'm not going to mention on here how to do it, but I learned how on the internet, and I'm sure you can too. Might be a tad simpler.

 

[Tony Raine]

i haven't been able to find any real info for what i'm trying to do. my searches get bombarded with the door lock crap. and anything about the ignition is all with locksmithing tools (which i have no desire to purchase).

i just want the wheels to turn when i'm towing them home.

 

[TheTopher]

Sorry dude. You've been a member here fairly long so I'm pretty sure you're being honest about just wanting to move your parts trucks, but I'm also pretty sure the mods would ban me in less time than it takes to open my truck if I blatantly posted info on how to steal rangers, not to mention that's just bad practice. Just take my word that the information is easily available and in common places you may not have thought to look.

 

[exbass94]

Why don't you just PM him the info?

 

[TheTopher]

Oh the things a six pack of beer will make you NOT think of.... I'll send him one in a minute.

 

[Tony Raine]

Sorry dude. You've been a member here fairly long so I'm pretty sure you're being honest about just wanting to move your parts trucks, but I'm also pretty sure the mods would ban me in less time than it takes to open my truck if I blatantly posted info on how to steal rangers, not to mention that's just bad practice. Just take my word that the information is easily available and in common places you may not have thought to look.

yeah, i figured this question would be borderline. i was hoping for something that wasn't dealing directly with the ignition, that way it wasn't something that was associated with stealing.

but private messages are just that, private.

 

[TheTopher]

I'm actually gonna make you an instructional video if I can figure out how to get video off my phone, otherwise I'll just do a write-up. We'll see in a bit. Mods fear not, the link will NOT get posted in the open forums.


But for my own peace of mind, please specifically say you have no intention of opening an RBV that is not your own

 

[TheTopher]

Alright, PM sent.

 

[valuecom]

my 89 wont unlock using any of the suggestions. If there is a way to unlock it please message me or point me in right direction.

 

[snoranger]

my 89 wont unlock using any of the suggestions. If there is a way to unlock it please message me or point me in right direction.

 

[Shran]

If you can get the lock cylinder out, that disables the column lock. Pretty easy, remove trim, insert key, turn key, and there is a little button you push to remove the entire thing. Can be started with a screwdriver at that point.

Removing the lock cylinder without a key is a total different deal. I have had to do that on several vehicles I bought that either didn't come with keys or they were lost or the ignition cylinder was broken... it is VERY difficult to do without destroying the column. I would suggest a locksmith as well if that's the case.

 

[Dirtman]

Have you considered cursing at it?

 

[franklin2]

There is a standard procedure listed in the Ford manual when you do not have a key. You get a big chisel or screwdriver and carefully put it behind the edge of the chrome piece the key goes into. Then you smack it with a hammer. The chrome piece breaks off. Once that is out of the way, you stick a small screwdriver up beside the lock cylinder and push the little keeper pin down that was mentioned previously. Then pull the lock cylinder out, then just use a screwdriver to turn the guts and release the wheel or start the vehicle.

New lock cylinders with the chrome piece with a new set of keys are available at the store.

 

[Shran]

I've actually tried that a couple times... I must be doing something wrong because I cannot make that procedure work. I have also heard that you can drive a big screwdriver in there and force the lock cylinder to turn with a vice grips on the screwdriver... same results.