Removing Steering Wheel Key Lock Tumbler

[gusgriff]

The key does not work in the ignition but works in all other locks. The key will not turn the tumbler assembly. I tried to disassemble but the key must turn the lock to remove the tumbler assembly.

Need Suggestions.

[cooljess76]

watch the video:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showpost....16&postcount=4

[gusgriff]

Video was informative but did not work because the key does not turn the lock but does in all other locks.

Any other ideas?

[BlackBMWs]

Originally Posted by gusgriff

Video was informative but did not work because the key does not turn the lock but does in all other locks.

Any other ideas?

So, it sounds like the tab that keeps the tumbler from spinning has broken. Common issue, it also happened in my 95 318ti. You can search for a post where someone drilled a hole and inserted a set screw to keep the lockset from spinning.

In my case, I took my registration and ID to a dealer and purchased a new lock and installed it. It takes a few days, but works with the rest of the locks if they are all original to the car.

Good luck!

[gusgriff]

can the lock tumbler be removed by disassembling the INTERLOCK STEERING LOCK from the column?

[BlackBMWs]

What's an INTERLOCK STEERING LOCK? The housing? If so, that's the gist of the video Jess shared.

Originally Posted by gusgriff

can the lock tumbler be removed by disassembling the INTERLOCK STEERING LOCK from the column?

[Uber E30]

I had a similar issue on my 92 325is, I had take a dremmel to that black ring around the tumbler. Once that was off I was able to access the hole and stick a paperclip in there. Unfortunately what I found under that was a serious problem. The metal part of the steering column that connects to the tumbler had snapped. #2 in this picture:



Hopefully you have better luck than I did.

[BlackBMWs]

Originally Posted by Uber E30

I had a similar issue on my 92 325is, I had take a dremmel to that black ring around the tumbler. Once that was off I was able to access the hole and stick a paperclip in there. Unfortunately what I found under that was a serious problem. The metal part of the steering column that connects to the tumbler had snapped. #2 in this picture:



Hopefully you have better luck than I did.

Ya, mine did too and that's where some folks have used a set screw to replace the function of the tab. I could have tried to do this, but I had already ordered a replacement #2. The shear bolts that secure the housing on were a bear to remove.

[Uber E30]

Originally Posted by BlackBMWs

Ya, mine did too and that's where some folks have used a set screw to replace the function of the tab. I could have tried to do this, but I had already ordered a replacement #2. The shear bolts that secure the housing on were a bear to remove.

Yeah its was a bit too much for me. I ended up doing a z8 push start conversion on that car. It ended up getting totaled about 2 weeks, after all that effort, from some dummy running into it while it was parked on the street.

[BlackBMWs]

Originally Posted by Uber E30

Yeah its was a bit too much for me. I ended up doing a z8 push start conversion on that car. It ended up getting totaled about 2 weeks, after all that effort, from some dummy running into it while it was parked on the street.

O man... Sorry to hear this. Was this recently?

[Uber E30]

Originally Posted by BlackBMWs

O man... Sorry to hear this. Was this recently?

No it was like a year ago, I didnt really want the car anyways so it worked out.

[gusgriff]

The 2 bolts holding the Interlock Housing to the column are called Fracture/Shear Bolt for thief protection. There is a ridge around 50-60% of the hex head and is a tight space. How do you remove are there any special tricks of tools needed?

[BlackBMWs]

So, since I was changing out the housing, i used a 4 1/2 grinder and ground them off. I used allen bolts when I put the new one in. I had a new set of shear bolts, but didn't want to go to that hassle again.

I read folks use a chisel to knock the head off. I tried to cut a slot in them with a Dremel to use a screwdriver on them, in short, they can be a bear to remove. Enter the grinder...

Good luck!

[gusgriff]

The bolts in the housing does not look like the bolt in diagrams I have seen. They look like standard Hex Head bolt maybe 12mm-13mm socket.

What do the Fracture/Shear bolts look like?

[Uber E30]

Originally Posted by gusgriff

The bolts in the housing does not look like the bolt in diagrams I have seen. They look like standard Hex Head bolt maybe 12mm-13mm socket.

What do the Fracture/Shear bolts look like?

Yours may have been replaced then. The fracture bolts have no head. Basically they are like a normal bolt that has a weak point a few mm down from the head. Once you torque them to the right spec that weak point snaps and breaks the head off.