Itinerant Air-Cooled

'70 bus. Normally the steering wheel lock doesn't engage unless the wheel is turned without the keys in the ignition. Then the key won't go further than a notch until you turn the wheel a bit to take the pressure off the lock.

Tonight, although the lock wasn't engaged at the wheel, it was at the ignition. Key would go no further than one notch so we couldn't start the engine. But then it also wouldn't pull out of the ignition. Applied plenty of graphite powder, but something had grabbed hold of the key and wasn't going to let it go.

And the wheel lock wasn't locking, although occasionally it would catch as I was turning the wheel chock to chock, but only one direction, and then backing off a few times it would turn on through.

Started to tear into the steering column, new country for me, and didn't get very far. Tomorrow.

Is the steering lock feature something that I can just take out?


neal

Sounds more like the switch is FUBAR'd. Napa had mine in stock for like 15 bucks. Although not as good as the original, it worked.

Removing your steering wheel sure looks easy in the vids. Mine is very very very resistant. I hope it survives my efforts.


neal

I seem to be quite good at mangling and destruction today.


sigh,
neal

ruckman101 wrote:I seem to be quite good at mangling and destruction today.


sigh,
neal

This doesn't sound like the steering lock perse. The key has a little notch that is supposed to prevent you from pulling it out as you turn it CW from off. If the lock cylinder has gotten loose in its barrel (usually from people getting rough on it as they try to unlock the steering wheel 12,389 times, then, even when you are full CCW, you aren't clearing the notch-free-of-cylinder spot. Remove the negative post on the battery. Turn key to start then a little more ... firmly and gently, know what I mean? Now return key very gently to off and tickle it out.
ColinDidItWork?

Key will not turn to start. Key barely turns 1/4 inch from initial "off" point, when you first put the key in to start the bus. It won't even turn to the point the electrics come on with the warning lights. Key will not come out. Still.

Wheel is off, column dismantled up to the rubber gasket (?) block out, only partially mangled. Key is still stuck. Still won't turn.

Tomorrow, disconnect electrics and slide off the casing with key cylinder and wheel lock assembly, hopefully. I hope the wheel lock assembly isn't integral to the case because I am very angry with it and want to purge it from existence in Bertha if possible.


neal

Did I say "slide off the casing"? Not with the wheel lock engaged. I managed to get a screwdriver in there and shoved the locking bolt back enough to slide the casing off of the steering column. And key is still stuck.

Everything is a minor restoration project. I should just go over the entire bus and get it over with rather than dealing with failures.


neal

Sounds like you need a new tumblah. (Colin in NY) I may have a spare somewhere lurking but they are pretty cheap.
Deferred maintenance, that bus has been thru a lot in it's history. Fix it right and fergitit.

Something.

Still can't get the lock cylinder/tumbler out, to get the wheel lock/ignition assembly out of the housing. Did finally get the key out.





Criminy!



neal

I believe there's a spring that must be compressed with a tiny screwdriver, up closer to the key slot and around the body.
I didn't pull the steering wheel when I did it BTW. Hell I'm going, again.

I used a curved piece of stiff coat hangar to push the almost impossible to reach pin that allows it to slide out. Should be easier with it in pieces like that. It's hidden by the plastic cover on top of the cylinder.

Sheesh. Ya around tomorrow Mr. Bone? Would like to take a look at your spare. Rising uber early in the morn.


neal

Sheesh. Ya around tomorrow Mr. Bone? Would like to take a look at your spare. Rising uber early in the morn.


neal

Boned twice? My lord. Oh crap I think it's in my bus but it's too dark out there. Ok I'll go out there with a flashlight but ONLY FOR YOU Neal.
I warn you: it may only be the memory of a part.
I hope my Miller tall boy won't go bad in the interim. 1st beer after "the sickness".

Found it. That was surprisingly easy.
Comes with 1 key, I musta tossed the rest. Genuine VW, Mexico or Brazil. Lived in my bus for many years until I "upgraded" to a NOS unit I got when I was rich.
What time?