stuck steering column, can't turn key

E

ek_lektro

New member
Jul 27, 2007
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Well yesterday i was installing new house batteries for the new owner (!) of the 21-foot Birchhaven
(yes! i’m now back to being a one-coach owner, and may therefore soon regain control of my life, LOL!

Anyway, i needed to turn the steering wheel sharp to one side, so the batteries would clear the tires,
coming out the bottom. I finish the battery job and go to start the coach, and there’s just no way the key is gonna turn,
the steering wheel is locked solid, and yes, the key tumbler was already a bit worse for wear,
and the keys themselves are pretty worn. tried some WD40, tried all kinds of angles, to the point that the keys
are starting to bend. Fortunately the coach can stay where its parked a few more days,
so… re-thinking the situation now:

1) Is it possible to unlock the wheel and allow the key to turn, by loosening the ignition switch down the column?
or some other method that doesn’t involve taking the steering wheel apart?
Having replaced the ignition switch just a couple months ago, this highlighted how the old ignition tumbler was already quite loose
and in line for replacement. And hey, the new owner would probably appreciate starting fresh with new keys anyway. But…

2) Will your average mobile locksmith know how to do this particular job with the steering wheel locked as such?
Ideally i’d be able to unlock the wheel and start the coach and drive it to a locksmith rather than pay the premium for mobile services
(Or i wonder if her AAA roadside services policy would cover a mobile locksmith…hmmmm)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
I’ll probably be posting a couple more times on behalf of the new owner, plus update the registry and introduce her to the list.
Cheers!
Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles…. and ONLY the ’78 Eleganza II
(21st anniversary of purchase coming next week)
 
Stupid question but did you try turn the steering wheel hard to the side your turned too? Sometimes there is alot of pressure against the column from
being at the steering stop....

So turn hard to the side you originally went and while holding it hard see if you can turn the key.
--
Rich Mondor,

Brockville, ON

77 Hughes 2600
 
Did you try the old trick of turning the steering wheel to relieve the tension on the lock?
________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Ek Lektro via Gmclist
Sent: Tuesday, October 1, 2019 10:41 AM
To: gmclist
Cc: Ek Lektro
Subject: [GMCnet] stuck steering column, can't turn key

Well yesterday i was installing new house batteries for the new owner (!) of the 21-foot Birchhaven
(yes! i’m now back to being a one-coach owner, and may therefore soon regain control of my life, LOL!

Anyway, i needed to turn the steering wheel sharp to one side, so the batteries would clear the tires,
coming out the bottom. I finish the battery job and go to start the coach, and there’s just no way the key is gonna turn,
the steering wheel is locked solid, and yes, the key tumbler was already a bit worse for wear,
and the keys themselves are pretty worn. tried some WD40, tried all kinds of angles, to the point that the keys
are starting to bend. Fortunately the coach can stay where its parked a few more days,
so… re-thinking the situation now:

1) Is it possible to unlock the wheel and allow the key to turn, by loosening the ignition switch down the column?
or some other method that doesn’t involve taking the steering wheel apart?
Having replaced the ignition switch just a couple months ago, this highlighted how the old ignition tumbler was already quite loose
and in line for replacement. And hey, the new owner would probably appreciate starting fresh with new keys anyway. But…

2) Will your average mobile locksmith know how to do this particular job with the steering wheel locked as such?
Ideally i’d be able to unlock the wheel and start the coach and drive it to a locksmith rather than pay the premium for mobile services
(Or i wonder if her AAA roadside services policy would cover a mobile locksmith…hmmmm)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
I’ll probably be posting a couple more times on behalf of the new owner, plus update the registry and introduce her to the list.
Cheers!
Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles…. and ONLY the ’78 Eleganza II
(21st anniversary of purchase coming next week)

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yes, i sure did Keith,.. forgot to add that.
We even jacked up the front wheels in case that’s help while trying to turn the wheel,

>
> Did you try the old trick of turning the steering wheel to relieve the tension on the lock?
> From: Gmclist on behalf of Ek Lektro via Gmclist
> Sent: Tuesday, October 1, 2019 10:41 AM
> To: gmclist
> Cc: Ek Lektro
> Subject: [GMCnet] stuck steering column, can't turn key
>
> Well yesterday i was installing new house batteries for the new owner (!) of the 21-foot Birchhaven
> (yes! i’m now back to being a one-coach owner, and may therefore soon regain control of my life, LOL!
>
> Anyway, i needed to turn the steering wheel sharp to one side, so the batteries would clear the tires,
> coming out the bottom. I finish the battery job and go to start the coach, and there’s just no way the key is gonna turn,
> the steering wheel is locked solid, and yes, the key tumbler was already a bit worse for wear,
> and the keys themselves are pretty worn. tried some WD40, tried all kinds of angles, to the point that the keys
> are starting to bend. Fortunately the coach can stay where its parked a few more days,
> so… re-thinking the situation now:
>
> 1) Is it possible to unlock the wheel and allow the key to turn, by loosening the ignition switch down the column?
> or some other method that doesn’t involve taking the steering wheel apart?
> Having replaced the ignition switch just a couple months ago, this highlighted how the old ignition tumbler was already quite loose
> and in line for replacement. And hey, the new owner would probably appreciate starting fresh with new keys anyway. But…
>
> 2) Will your average mobile locksmith know how to do this particular job with the steering wheel locked as such?
> Ideally i’d be able to unlock the wheel and start the coach and drive it to a locksmith rather than pay the premium for mobile services
> (Or i wonder if her AAA roadside services policy would cover a mobile locksmith…hmmmm)
>
> Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
> I’ll probably be posting a couple more times on behalf of the new owner, plus update the registry and introduce her to the list.
> Cheers!
> Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles…. and ONLY the ’78 Eleganza II
> (21st anniversary of purchase coming next week)
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Turn the wheel hard is the same direction you were turning when you locked it. Pull hard and at the same time turn the key. If that does not work,
go to Auto ozone and borrow their steering wheel puller and lock ring tools. Remove the one nut and pull the wheel. The locking assembly is the
round disk below it . Remove that and you will no longer have the wheels locked. You will have relieved all of the tension on the key lock assembly.

--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
OK, thanks… i’ll give it one more try like this when i’m back at the coach
> Turn the wheel hard is the same direction you were turning when you locked it. Pull hard and at the same time turn the key.

> If that does not work,
> go to Auto ozone and borrow their steering wheel puller and lock ring tools. Remove the one nut and pull the wheel. The locking assembly is the
> round disk below it . Remove that and you will no longer have the wheels locked. You will have relieved all of the tension on the key lock assembly.

Sounds like a good plan of attack, however, If i can’t get cver to the coach this week,
i’m wondering if a basic mobile locksmith would be able to do this type of job... for the new owner?
(I guess i’d have to call around and ask for somebody familiar with these fine antiques)

Since both the ignition tumbler and the keys are pretty worn out (the keys are probably copies of copies)…
this extreme turn of the wheels (to install new house batteries) might’ve been the straw that broke the camel’s back!

OK, cheers,
Greg / SolarSonic / LosAngeles
 
Get in touch with Miguel at MGM GMC
He is the Douthrtn CA guy you need to know 909-229-7508

On Tue, Oct 1, 2019 at 10:16 PM Ek Lektro via Gmclist <

> OK, thanks… i’ll give it one more try like this when i’m back at the coach
> > Turn the wheel hard is the same direction you were turning when you
> locked it. Pull hard and at the same time turn the key.
>
>
> > If that does not work,
> > go to Auto ozone and borrow their steering wheel puller and lock ring
> tools. Remove the one nut and pull the wheel. The locking assembly is the
> > round disk below it . Remove that and you will no longer have the
> wheels locked. You will have relieved all of the tension on the key lock
> assembly.
>
> Sounds like a good plan of attack, however, If i can’t get cver to the
> coach this week,
> i’m wondering if a basic mobile locksmith would be able to do this type of
> job... for the new owner?
> (I guess i’d have to call around and ask for somebody familiar with these
> fine antiques)
>
> Since both the ignition tumbler and the keys are pretty worn out (the keys
> are probably copies of copies)…
> this extreme turn of the wheels (to install new house batteries) might’ve
> been the straw that broke the camel’s back!
>
> OK, cheers,
> Greg / SolarSonic / LosAngeles
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Sir, the lock pin is tapered and relies on a small funky shaped spring to push or pull the lock pin in the plate. If there is any force on the pin
from the plate it will bind. If you can't get the force off by holding pressure an the steering wheel, you will need as Ken B says, remove steering
wheel and cover plate. You might can push pin back in while turning key and turning
Wheel at same time.

> OK, thanks... i'll give it one more try like this when i'm back at the coach
> > Turn the wheel hard is the same direction you were turning when you locked it. Pull hard and at the same time turn the key.
>
>
> > If that does not work,
> > go to Auto ozone and borrow their steering wheel puller and lock ring tools. Remove the one nut and pull the wheel. The locking assembly is
> > the
> > round disk below it . Remove that and you will no longer have the wheels locked. You will have relieved all of the tension on the key lock
> > assembly.
>
> Sounds like a good plan of attack, however, If i can't get cver to the coach this week,
> i'm wondering if a basic mobile locksmith would be able to do this type of job... for the new owner?
> (I guess i'd have to call around and ask for somebody familiar with these fine antiques)
>
> Since both the ignition tumbler and the keys are pretty worn out (the keys are probably copies of copies)...
> this extreme turn of the wheels (to install new house batteries) might've been the straw that broke the camel's back!
>
> OK, cheers,
> Greg / SolarSonic / LosAngeles
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

--
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
 
Still jacked up?
How about disconnecting the steering linkage.

--
1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
 
If you have to dig that far into the column, it's a perfect time to
change out that lock cylinder. Might save a second repair.

-Dave
1978 Transmode near Pittsburgh
 
OK, pulled the steering wheel, got it unlocked, and put in a new ignition key cylinder… works nice and smooth now, as it should!

Next, related topics: The turn signal stalk was broken and rigged up by the previous owner many years ago,
and its not the full length.
Wondering where to find a new one to install, while we have things apart?
I checked Applied GMC, eBay, no luck so far….

Also, the gear shift stalk… the pin always works itself loose. Wondering if its possible to put in a new pin,
or maybe just replace the whole stalk and pin together, if its not hard to source?
And for that matter, Any source out there for a new steering wheel?

Personally, these are things that never bothered me in the past (got used to it over the years)
but the new owner has never driven a motorhome before, so she’ll appreciate things working (and looking) in as new-as-possible condition.
Thanks for any info!
Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles
 
I’m in Oregon, but I know we have one, who is the shit headed that was too
lazy to get one off a old coach.
You can see why I get pissed at my guys.
They are paid very well, but let me down.

On Sat, Oct 5, 2019 at 8:49 PM Ek Lektro via Gmclist <

> OK, pulled the steering wheel, got it unlocked, and put in a new ignition
> key cylinder… works nice and smooth now, as it should!
>
> Next, related topics: The turn signal stalk was broken and rigged up by
> the previous owner many years ago,
> and its not the full length.
> Wondering where to find a new one to install, while we have things apart?
> I checked Applied GMC, eBay, no luck so far….
>
> Also, the gear shift stalk… the pin always works itself loose. Wondering
> if its possible to put in a new pin,
> or maybe just replace the whole stalk and pin together, if its not hard to
> source?
> And for that matter, Any source out there for a new steering wheel?
>
> Personally, these are things that never bothered me in the past (got used
> to it over the years)
> but the new owner has never driven a motorhome before, so she’ll
> appreciate things working (and looking) in as new-as-possible condition.
> Thanks for any info!
> Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Try MGM GMC,
He might have one he can pull parts from.

> I’m in Oregon, but I know we have one, who is the shit headed that was too
> lazy to get one off a old coach.
> You can see why I get pissed at my guys.
> They are paid very well, but let me down.
>
> On Sat, Oct 5, 2019 at 8:49 PM Ek Lektro via Gmclist <

>
>> OK, pulled the steering wheel, got it unlocked, and put in a new ignition
>> key cylinder… works nice and smooth now, as it should!
>>
>> Next, related topics: The turn signal stalk was broken and rigged up by
>> the previous owner many years ago,
>> and its not the full length.
>> Wondering where to find a new one to install, while we have things apart?
>> I checked Applied GMC, eBay, no luck so far….
>>
>> Also, the gear shift stalk… the pin always works itself loose.
>> Wondering if its possible to put in a new pin,
>> or maybe just replace the whole stalk and pin together, if its not hard
>> to source?
>> And for that matter, Any source out there for a new steering wheel?
>>
>> Personally, these are things that never bothered me in the past (got used
>> to it over the years)
>> but the new owner has never driven a motorhome before, so she’ll
>> appreciate things working (and looking) in as new-as-possible condition.
>> Thanks for any info!
>> Greg / SolarSonic / Los Angeles
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> --
> Jim Kanomata
> Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
> jimk
> http://www.appliedgmc.com
> 1-800-752-7502
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
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