Steering column won't unlock

SteveR · Thu, Jul-19-2012, 05:52:45 PM

Last night something odd happened after taking my '97 M3 for a short ride. I parked it at the curb to switch vehicles around. When I started it up again, it started fine, but the steering column didn't unlock. The wheels are pointing straight ahead, so the steering wheel is *not* turned all the way right or left. The ignition key mount is a bit loose, but it's been that way for some time. I tried starting the car several times, with the same result each time. Car started fine, wheel remained locked.

Anyone run into this situation before or know what the problem might be?

Kalahari · Thu, Jul-19-2012, 06:37:06 PM

This happened to me last winter. I just drilled out the steering lock. Very easy with even an average drill bit. Google it to find a DIY. Should take less than 20 minutes.

SteveR · Thu, Jul-19-2012, 08:32:44 PM

Thanks for the reply. I'll give that a try when I get home tonight.

Kalahari · Thu, Jul-19-2012, 09:52:08 PM

One word of advice: unless you have a portable vacuum, you may want to cover the area with trash bags or newspaper or something. Metal shavings will get everywhere when you drill.

And, obviously, you won't have a steering lock anymore.

KWorker17 · Thu, Jul-19-2012, 11:21:17 PM

Just did a quick google search and this seems to work.

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=16151

I understand that some of the track guys do it to prevent anything from happening.

Kalahari · Fri, Jul-20-2012, 02:33:37 AM

Yup, that's the guide I used. Again, painfully easy job and worth the safety.

SteveR · Sun, Jul-29-2012, 03:30:43 PM

This worked perfectly as described. Problem resolved with simply drilling a hole. The picture in the guide of pulling out the spring gave me enough to know where to drill.

Thanks for the tip about the metal shavings going everywhere. I put down a large plastic bag on the floor and it got 99% of the shavings.

Kalahari · Sun, Jul-29-2012, 04:42:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveR

This worked perfectly as described. Problem resolved with simply drilling a hole. The picture in the guide of pulling out the spring gave me enough to know where to drill.

Thanks for the tip about the metal shavings going everywhere. I put down a large plastic bag on the floor and it got 99% of the shavings.

Glad you got this fixed!

Thu, Jul-19-2012, 05:52:45 PM	#1
SteveR Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 3 Reputation: 0	Steering column won't unlock Last night something odd happened after taking my '97 M3 for a short ride. I parked it at the curb to switch vehicles around. When I started it up again, it started fine, but the steering column didn't unlock. The wheels are pointing straight ahead, so the steering wheel is not turned all the way right or left. The ignition key mount is a bit loose, but it's been that way for some time. I tried starting the car several times, with the same result each time. Car started fine, wheel remained locked. Anyone run into this situation before or know what the problem might be?

Thu, Jul-19-2012, 08:32:44 PM	#3
SteveR Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 3 Reputation: 0	Re: Steering column won't unlock Thanks for the reply. I'll give that a try when I get home tonight.

Thu, Jul-19-2012, 11:21:17 PM	#5
KWorker17 Brett Favre of M3's Join Date: Jun 2004 Age: 27 Posts: 3,869 Reputation: 0 Location: Boston	Re: Steering column won't unlock Just did a quick google search and this seems to work. http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=16151 I understand that some of the track guys do it to prevent anything from happening. __________________ Kevin

Fri, Jul-20-2012, 02:33:37 AM	#6
Kalahari Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 227 Reputation: 0	Re: Steering column won't unlock Yup, that's the guide I used. Again, painfully easy job and worth the safety.

Sun, Jul-29-2012, 03:30:43 PM	#7
SteveR Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 3 Reputation: 0	Re: Steering column won't unlock This worked perfectly as described. Problem resolved with simply drilling a hole. The picture in the guide of pulling out the spring gave me enough to know where to drill. Thanks for the tip about the metal shavings going everywhere. I put down a large plastic bag on the floor and it got 99% of the shavings.

Thu, Jul-19-2012, 06:37:06 PM	#2
Kalahari Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 227 Reputation: 0	This happened to me last winter. I just drilled out the steering lock. Very easy with even an average drill bit. Google it to find a DIY. Should take less than 20 minutes.

Thu, Jul-19-2012, 09:52:08 PM	#4
Kalahari Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 227 Reputation: 0	One word of advice: unless you have a portable vacuum, you may want to cover the area with trash bags or newspaper or something. Metal shavings will get everywhere when you drill. And, obviously, you won't have a steering lock anymore.

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