Hello everyone. New to this thread and hoping I can get some decent answers from a fellow honda owner. I searched and could not find a problem not solution to what I'm experiencing.

TLDR: car got broken into, how do I remove the now destroyed cylinder lock, there for unlocking the steering wheel.

Earlier this week I got a call from my roommate saying that the hatch to my 91 crx was completely open, and that someone had stolen my amp/subs/glove box items/etc (in broad daylight, sometime between 7am and 1:30pm). Disappointed but not surprised (just moved to spring valley in san diego California, ghetto and what not) I thanked him for the call and figured there was nothing I could do (I was at work) so I continued with my day. Got off work a couple hours later and came home to inspect the damage. I expected to see some broken panels, a busted door lock, and my items everywhere. What I did not expect to see was my cylinder lock completely destroyed.

it seems that the would be thief tried to also steal the car, but for whatever reason couldn't finish the job. After a couple hours of tinkering and researching I figured out how to at least get it hotwired and start it, so I can move the car to a more secure spot (at a friends house behind a locked gate) so I can have a better place to fix it properly.

My only issue is that I cant get the steering column to unlock from the cylinder lock. I'm thinking the only possible way is to chisel off the rivets but I'm hoping there's a way that will cause less damage. I appreciate any advice/input. Thanks guys.

 

 

You will have to remove the shear bolts. I always drill them out. Use a center punch and start with a small drill bit. Then go to the appropriate sized bit to use an Easy Out.

Before you can get to the shear bolts, you'll want to drop the steering column down for easy access. You can put shear bolts back in, or you can just put in some socket cap screws back in for ease of installation. If you do the latter, do understand that socket cap screws won't give you the theft deterrence that the shear bolts will, but who would know besides you that you didn't use shear bolts? That's my theory anyhow. You can also use a regular hex head bolt, but it gets difficult to get a wrench or socket on the bolt as the head gets down near the bracket.

 

Thank you for the reply! Chiseling is what I feared I would have to do. I dont see how I could fit a drill in there in the first place without removing the entire cluster and dash. Ugh. 😔 on the bright side at least I still have my car. Thanks again

 

Tha is for the input daX!