Club Cobra

Club Cobra (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/)
-   Classic Roadsters II (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/classic-roadsters-ii/)
-   -   Steering Column (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/classic-roadsters-ii/77265-steering-column.html)

petek 03-12-2007 01:00 PM

Steering Column
 
Don,

I've got a key stuck in the steering column in my Cobra. The column is one that I bought from DV a few years ago. I've posted a "help" in the tech area of the forum - but if I can't get the key to work quickly I might just buy another column and then rebuild this one for later use.

Do you stock columns for the CRII Cobra? If so, how much wampum?

thanks

dscott 03-12-2007 03:31 PM

Pete, we don't use the GM column anymore. We switched to Ididit a few years ago. If you change to the Ididit you will need to change the mount and the shaft length between the u-joints. We also moved the wipers and high beams to the dash along with the ignition switch. So you would need to do some rewiring as well. The GM column is an easy fix to replace the key mechanism. Let me know if you need help and I can walk you through it over the phone.
Don

petek 03-12-2007 04:28 PM

Thanks for the offer Don, I'll take a look tonight or tomorrow and I'll give you a call if I run into problems.

petek 03-12-2007 09:28 PM

Don,

After constructing a tool to remove the clip holding everything together, I've managed to get the steering column "guts" down to the point shown in the picture below. Fundamentally I've got the signal switch removed and now I'm ready to remove the ignition switch assembly.

I still can't get the key to turn to the off position.

How do I proceed from this point?

thanks!

http://www.birch.net/~petek/temp/column.jpg

dscott 03-14-2007 04:02 PM

Pete, if you remove the three larger torx screws then you can pull out the turn signal switch enough to get it out of the way. You will also need to remove the turn signal arm. The other smaller torx is what holds the key switch in place. Check the linkage for the lock position to see what's hanging it up. The linkage also controls the locking pin.
Don

petek 03-15-2007 10:50 AM

Thanks Don but I beat you to it. I went ahead and disassembled the column and got the lock out. Darn lock worked fine! Let's see if I can get some pictures to link...

There is a gear that rotates when the key is turned and moves a rack in and out. The rack controls the electrical part of the ignition switch.

http://www.birch.net/~petek/temp/one.jpg

The rack exits the head of the steering column and goes under the steering column mount.

http://www.birch.net/~petek/temp/two.jpg

But apparently over time some sort of tolerance build-up or slop caused the rack to hit the mount. My fix was to put some washers to shim out the mount. I got the column back in the car but the rack seems to still hit the mount. I hope to have some time to work on it tonight.
http://www.birch.net/~petek/temp/three.jpg

petek 03-16-2007 12:07 PM

Two washers and adjusting the position of the electrical part of the ignition switch and the problem is solved ... and now I know I can disassemble and re-assemble a GM steering column! ;)

J. T. Toad 03-16-2007 12:37 PM

I seem to have a little misunderstanding due to the cause of the problem.

Would this be a preventative procedure worth implementing prior to an inevitable condition?

With my luck, I can tell you when my key would get stuck.

petek 03-16-2007 08:14 PM

The mount on my steering column is a bit different than the standard CR (an attempt on my part to get a little more clearance between my legs and the column).

As long as the key turns freely and smoothly in your column, I wouldn't worry 'bout it.


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:18 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
The representations expressed are the representations and opinions of the clubcobra.com forum members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the site owners, moderators, Shelby American, any other replica manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. This website has been planned and developed by clubcobra.com and its forum members and should not be construed as being endorsed by Ford Motor Company, or Shelby American or any other manufacturer unless expressly noted by that entity. "Cobra" and the Cobra logo are registered trademarks for Ford Motor Co., Inc. clubcobra.com forum members agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyrighted material is owned by you. Although we do not and cannot review the messages posted and are not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we reserve the right to delete any message for any reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). Thank you for visiting clubcobra.com. For full policy documentation refer to the following link: