Steering lock replacement procedure?

[bubba966]

So I've had my car parked for a month or so while trying to fix the ignition. Replaced the ignition tumbler (after much hassle). That didn't change anything. Replaced the ignition switch, and that cured the "key in ignition" message I got when the problem started. Only thing left is the steering lock. Got a new one and new shear bolts.

But I can't find anything on how you replace the steering lock. I found plenty of people mentioning how to get the shear bolts out. But that's as far as they go. Anyone have anything to add to the steering lock removal procedure?

[bubba966]

Nobody knows?

[Jan]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HE61&mospid=47384&btnr=32_0837&hg=32&fg=30

Is it nr. 4 in this picture??

[bubba966]

It's #2 in this picture

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HE63&mospid=47410&btnr=32_0908&hg=32&fg=30

[bubba966]

?

[Ross]

Remove the plastic trim on the column then the two anti tamper screws, unplug the switch and exchange the key cylinder.
The toughest part is the key cylinder which you've already done once. The special bolts aren't very tight so once you nick them loose with a few taps from a sharp chisel they turn out with your fingers.

[bubba966]

I've pulled the shear bolts out which hold part # 10 onto the steering lock. But that's not the only thing that holds the steering lock in. That's the only thing anyone ever mentions though is how to get the shear bolts out.

I've currently got the shear bolts and that plate off, as well as the ignition switch and turn signal/wiper stalks off the steering lock. And I'll pull the ignition cylinder out of the steering lock again when I have it out of the car as that'll be easier.

But I need to know what else needs to be done besides removing the shear bolts to get the steering lock out.

[uscharalph]

Remove the plastic trim on the column then the two anti tamper screws, unplug the switch and exchange the key cylinder.
The toughest part is the key cylinder which you've already done once. The special bolts aren't very tight so once you nick them loose with a few taps from a sharp chisel they turn out with your fingers.


Is there a special tool required to replace the tumbler?

[632 Regal]

Paperclip in the hole trick?
Is there a special tool required to replace the tumbler?

[bubba966]

Is there a special tool required to replace the tumbler?

The paperclip in the hole is supposed to disengage the tumbler catch so you can pull the tumbler out. You need to turn the tumbler part way towards the ignition and then insert the paperclip into the little hole towards the outside of the tumbler.

But the grease that lubes the tumbler in my car had gotten so dirty & gummed up that I couldn't disengage that catch no matter what I tried. Everything I tried would just bend. Paperclips, pins, welding tip cleaners (which is much stiffer than a paperclip). Nothing worked for me.

I had to cut the outer retaining ring off my tumbler, pull the guts out of it, and disengage the catch from inside the tumbler (the paperclip in the hole trick disengages it from outside the tumbler). While doing it that way was much easier, it completely destroys the tumbler. Only go that way if you are installing a new tumbler...

Are you sure the problem is your tumbler?

[zekgb]

Getting the snap ring back onto the steering column is a bitch of a job. It took 3 of us to do it, one to pull the column out as far as it would go using a box end wrench and two of us to monkey the snap ring back into the groove on the column (snap ring pliers don't really work with this ring.) Other than that pretty straightforward job.