Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] stuck steering column, can't turn key
| [GMCnet] stuck steering column, can't turn key [message #348768] |
Tue, 01 October 2019 10:41  |
Ek_Lektro
Messages: 167
Registered: March 2011
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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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)
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| Re: [GMCnet] stuck steering column, can't turn key [message #348769 is a reply to message #348768] |
Tue, 01 October 2019 10:54  |
6cuda6
Messages: 975
Registered: June 2019
Karma: -6
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Senior Member |
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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
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| Re: [GMCnet] stuck steering column, can't turn key [message #348773 is a reply to message #348768] |
Tue, 01 October 2019 10:54 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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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@list.gmcnet.org
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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Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] stuck steering column, can't turn key [message #348775 is a reply to message #348773] |
Tue, 01 October 2019 10:59 |
Ek_Lektro
Messages: 167
Registered: March 2011
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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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,
> On Oct 1, 2019, at 8:54 AM, Keith V wrote:
>
> 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@list.gmcnet.org
> 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
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| Re: [GMCnet] stuck steering column, can't turn key [message #348788 is a reply to message #348768] |
Tue, 01 October 2019 13:52 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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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
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| Re: [GMCnet] stuck steering column, can't turn key [message #348807 is a reply to message #348806] |
Wed, 02 October 2019 01:12 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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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 <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> 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@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] stuck steering column, can't turn key [message #348809 is a reply to message #348806] |
Wed, 02 October 2019 06:04 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Senior Member |
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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.
Ek_Lektro wrote on Wed, 02 October 2019 01:15OK, 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
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C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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| Re: [GMCnet] stuck steering column, can't turn key [message #348955 is a reply to message #348768] |
Sat, 05 October 2019 22:48 |
Ek_Lektro
Messages: 167
Registered: March 2011
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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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
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| Re: [GMCnet] stuck steering column, can't turn key [message #348956 is a reply to message #348955] |
Sat, 05 October 2019 23:05 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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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 <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> 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@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
_______________________________________________
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http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] stuck steering column, can't turn key [message #348957 is a reply to message #348956] |
Sat, 05 October 2019 23:14 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Try MGM GMC,
He might have one he can pull parts from.
On Sat, Oct 5, 2019 at 9:05 PM Jim Kanomata wrote:
> 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 gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>
>> 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@appliedairfilters.com
> http://www.appliedgmc.com
> 1-800-752-7502
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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