My car was stolen the other night but i was able to get it back. The thieves broke the steering lock by yanking the wheel hard. My question is can i just replace the ignition switch or am i going to need an entire column.

Thanks in advance

 

new column your **** is going to be bent. you sure they just yanked the wheel to break the ign lock? that sounds odd... usually they just smash it with a hammer till it breaks off at the column area.

 

You do not need a new column!! The steering wheel lock is in the ignition switch housing itself. It will lock again with a new housing.

They usually break off the plastics and pry the housing till it snaps off which removes the steering wheel lock

My car was stolen also and recovered...i just replaced it.

Get yourself a new ignition switch housing. Go for a used one cause they are cheap.



There are 2 bolts that hold it on. You probably need to slot them with a dremel or rotozip like i did and unscrew them. Then just install the new housing in the hole on the column and reinstall some new break off bolts or use the ones you slotted.



Then reinstall the ignition switch into the housing with the 2 small gold screws they probably removed and threw on your floor. I found them thrown around so look carefully.




In this pics you can see the circle piece with a silver rod in the middle of the "U" shaped bracket. That peice is what goes into the hole in your column to lock your wheel.

 

wow what a reply. that is why i signed up for HT. thanks for the help

 

well i got my car jacked and the force they used to bust the lock bent the column, so the wheel was never true

 

well i appreciate the info and ill keep it in mind when im inspecting the damage.

 

If you can drive your car and the wheel turns normally your fine. That column i believe is steel....unlike the fragile and cheaply made ignition housings

Oh and when you pick up a used ignition cylinder you can take your new and your broken one to a lock smith. He can rekey the new one to match your old key so one key for door and ignition

 

key it your self it's super easy.

 

i did the same with the breakhead bolts... slotted with a dremel so i can re-use them. otherwise I think they are something ridiculous like 8 bucks a bolt from the dealer..

 

i got broke into also!! they messed everything up!! i was think about putting some kill switches on the bat to acc connections, they removed my tumbler completely, will this remove the steering lock as well?

 

Good going scottied15!
You are a winner!!!!


Way to go for resurrecting a 4 year old thread and adding absolutely no useful information!

 

i just moved my clutch safety switch to a place where it wouldnt be seen and i could push it with my hand so people cant crank my car without knowing how.

 

You can still bump start it :/