How to "disable" steering column lock?

[Dirtman]

Drill it, thread in a sheet metal screw, hook a slide hammer to it and slam the core out.

 

[Snoranger]

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.

I’ve hammered a large Craftsman screwdriver (the old school square shank style) into the lock cylinder and turned it with an adjustable wrench... It does work.

 

[franklin2]

Drill it, thread in a sheet metal screw, hook a slide hammer to it and slam the core out.

That's what the boys in the hood do. But I am afraid of damaging something pulling the whole thing out or trying to twist it out by force. I have had to hit it a couple of times with a hammer and chisel, but it will usually break that chrome piece off fairly easily. It's some sort of chrome plated pot metal, and it's not very thick in certain places. If you carefully hit on the chrome only, it usually doesn't damage the column. With that broke out of the way, that gives you access to the little keeper pin in there.

 

[black_demon69]

it takes about 5 min to get a broken / no keys lock cylinder out I've done it many times not really hard at all.

if you can guess what a rotary pic is then you will know how to do it....

 

[nolan maley]

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

i know this was like 14 years ago. but i am a young guy in pitt meadows bc canada, i lost my ranger keys wich isnt normally a problem because the ignition is broken and turns anyway but now my steering wheel has locked and i cannot unlock it or find any good information online of how to do so. i am trying to go camping in a couple days please help me get my steering unlocked.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Replace the key cylinder. Someone is going to steal your truck...

 

[nolan maley]

Replace the key cylinder. Someone is going to steal your truck...

im having a hard time getting it out with no keys. also i got 2 rangers, the keyless one is my camping/offroad one its ushually blocked in by another truck. I just wanna go camping on thursady, any ideas on how to unlock the steering wheel?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

You can turn the key cylinder without the key? Then turn it to the run position and use a very small screwdriver or Allen key to push up in the hole thru the column underneath the cylinder, then pull out the cylinder.
I believe the the locked steering is part of the cylinder but not sure.
That's all I got. Good luck.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

You can turn the key cylinder without the key? Then turn it to the run position and use a very small screwdriver or Allen key to push up in the hole thru the column underneath the cylinder, then pull out the cylinder.
I believe the the locked steering is part of the cylinder but not sure.
That's all I got. Good luck.

^^ this.

Unfortunately this whole topic is close to “how to steal a truck” so response will be limited. I realize things happen, but there’s unfortunately no good way to tell who is being honest and who isn’t. We are not going to tell you how to disable things that could be used for theft (besides the obvious destruction of the key cylinder). You either need a new cylinder or new column or to figure it out on your own. Those are the above-board responses.

 

[franklin2]

If the cylinder turned before without a key, it may just be in a bind. Grab the steering wheel and put some pressure on it one way, and then the other while at the same time trying to turn the key cylinder. Sometimes the front wheels get in a bind at the same time the column lock activates, and it binds everything up.

 

[racsan]

I remember with my ‘88 I could pull the keys out without the switch being turned to “lock”. One day I went to go somewhere and grabbed the switch (not in lock) and it started- keys were still in my pocket. So there’s always the possibility your switch is worn enough to not even need keys. If its new enough to have that PATS crap the most you could do is have a unlocked coulmn.

 

[JoshT]

If the cylinder turned before without a key, it may just be in a bind. Grab the steering wheel and put some pressure on it one way, and then the other while at the same time trying to turn the key cylinder. Sometimes the front wheels get in a bind at the same time the column lock activates, and it binds everything up.

That's what I was thinking. If it will turn keyless with the steering wheel unlocked, it should turn keyless with the steering wheel locked. The cylinder shouldn't turn without a key at all, but there is nothing about the steering lock that should change the ability to turn the key cylinder whether the key is in or out. Like @franklin2 said, the locked steering wheel can create a bind, but the same thing will happen with a key. Turn steering wheel in other direction to release the bind and the cylinder should turn. At which point you should replace the cylinder like everyone is telling you.

Like racsan's '88, on my '99 I need the key to turn the switch to on, but once the truck is started I can remove the key and turn the cylinder to any position. Well, any position except acessory and that's only because it has to go past off to get there. Once it goes to off, the key has to be in to turn it. I keep thinking about digging out my spare to see if it has the same problem. I probably just need to order up a key cylinder kit for the ignition switch and have it set for my key before something actually happens where it won't work.