32 Ford can't remove key from column drop

Zax40

Zax40

Well-known member
A friend of mine bought a 32 sedan as an unfinished project. It has a restored column drop in it that seems to work. The key lock turns freely and the switch moves nicely. The only problem is we can't get the key out with the switch and key in any position.

What should we be looking at? Not sure where to start troubleshooting this issue. The old Ford keys are so small and easy to bend so we have not tried to force anything to get it out.

These are pics from his car. I think this column drop may be out of a pickup.
 

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Zax40 said:
A friend of mine bought a 32 sedan as an unfinished project. It has a restored column drop in it that seems to work. The key lock turns freely and the switch moves nicely. The only problem is we can't get the key out with the switch and key in any position.

What should we be looking at? Not sure where to start troubleshooting this issue. The old Ford keys are so small and easy to bend so we have not tried to force anything to get it out.

These are pics from his car. I think this column drop may be out of a pickup.
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Is the whole tumbler turning, is the plug or a set screw on the bottom missing that holds the tumbler ?
 
The steering gear and wheel may be under tension when parked. Try pulling against the tension at the steering wheel to free up the locking mechanism.
 
You might have to pull out the lock cyl. Looks like someone altered that column drop .On the housing under that lock cyl there may be a set screw that secures the cyl in that port.Removing that will free up the cyl and since the key is stuck just turn and pull -it should come out.
 
The key will only come out when the lever is in the off position.
A couple of observations:
On an original 32 drop the lever must be to the left(off) position for the key to come out.
Also the key will not turn fully when in the on position
In this picture the off is to the right. As Deuce Lover mentioned the drop has been modified sooo no telling what's going on internally.
Also I would try jacking the car up and taking the weight off both front wheels.
Rock the steering wheel back and forth while trying to remove the key.
 
32phil said:
The key will only come out when the lever is in the off position.
A couple of observations:
On an original 32 drop the lever must be to the left(off) position for the key to come out.

Hey Phil, I have never owned a 32. I know that the key must turn a full 180 degrees inside the cylinder. Must it be turned clockwise as the 33/34 cylinders to remove it?
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This may have nothing to do with your issue, but when I first bought my heap, the key wouldn't come out of the lock. I squirted lube into the lock cylinder around the key and jiggled the key around to get the lube to migrate into the tumbler's locking pins. After some time spent doing that, the key finely came loose from the lock and has been fine since. The dry pins simply couldn't move enough to enable the key to slide out. Was thinking it may be possible the same thing is causing your problem. Good luck!
 
Not having a 34 drop in front of me I cannot say for sure which way it must turn to allow the lever to move.
This applies to all Ford product drops from 32 to 47(8)
Basically, what's going on is the key when inserted allows the lock cylinder to turn approximately 180 degrees. That allows the internal lock to move up and the lever to be moved from Off to On. That allows the steering shaft locking pin to disengage as well.
When you want to stop/park the car you turn the lever to Off and that allows the key to be turned 180 degrees back to where it started and then the key can be removed. That also engages the steering column pin to lock the shaft. This is a short and sweet explanation of how it works in there.
There's a lot going with lots of moving parts that must be clean, lubed and in good condition for all this to work safely and properly
Hope this helps.
 
Not having a 34 drop in front of me I cannot say for sure which way it must turn to allow the lever to move.
This applies to all Ford product drops from 32 to 47(8)
Basically, what's going on is the key when inserted allows the lock cylinder to turn approximately 180 degrees. That allows the internal lock to move up and the lever to be moved from Off to On. That allows the steering shaft locking pin to disengage as well.
When you want to stop/park the car you turn the lever to Off and that allows the key to be turned 180 degrees back to where it started and then the key can be removed. That also engages the steering column pin to lock the shaft. This is a short and sweet explanation of how it works in there.
There's a lot going with lots of moving parts that must be clean, lubed and in good condition for all this to work safely and properly
Hope this helps.
 
The on-off plate is actually held on with small twist nails. If you purchase a reproduction on-off plate, the kit should include the twist nails.
 
Model51 said:
The on-off plate is actually held on with small twist nails. If you purchase a reproduction on-off plate, the kit should include the twist nails.
Click to expand...


"small twist nails", or commonly know in the "industry" as "U-Drive" screws. I am not sure at the moment as I have not one to measure for you but the run in "#" number sizes SO like a #1 x 1/4" or a #4 X 3/8. IF someone chim's in with the size I "may" have some as I stock a couple few different sizes/lenghts
 
As Pete would say, “Here ya go”. LOL #2 in the photo--Stainless
 

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I have a few rivets "but" not all the same size. I mainly have some rivets for the 33,34 on off switch tab. Measurement required.
 

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