1939 ford steering lock stuck

Bill Wyckoff said:
The chrome button on mine is flush and won't move. I have photos I can send.
Thanks,
Bill
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To help you see how it functions Here are 2 pics I just took of what the mechanism is like and lock cyl in correct position.The knurled end of the mechanism is where the chrome button is pressed on.The button on opposite end is spring loaded. The first pic is in the locked position and the key can be removed-it is pulled out slightly to show you..The 2nd pic is the unlocked position and key will not come out.You can see by the slot for the lock cyl locates differently.
 

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My lock has been removed and the cyl works fine after being removed. I just thought it was bad as it would only turn a few degrees and wouldn't release the steering lock.

kxHLKS6


Bill
 
Thanks, I have the switch box off the back. Thinking about removing the switch plate on front, but the pins are almost flush and leave no room to grab. Hate to mess it up.
Bill
 
I never have encountered one as stubborn as yours. The mechanism is seriously stuck.There might be a member here that can post an illustration of the breakdown of the assy.Removing the On- Off plate won't really help.Its held in by those 2 twist in rivets. I use a very small (2.5")vise grip to grab it and turn counter clockwise-they come right out.Sometimes filing a small flat spot on 2 sides is necessary but then the rivet won't look right if reused.
 
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Thanks, I was working on it again last night and took a photo of the back side. I sent this to JSeery to post as I don't seem to get that to work. From the back side you can see the button and it won't move.
Bill
 
Bill Wyckoff said:
Thanks, I was working on it again last night and took a photo of the back side. I sent this to JSeery to post as I don't seem to get that to work. From the back side you can see the button and it won't move.
Bill
Click to expand...

Nothing showed up, did it get sent to the correct email address?
 
Funny, both emails showed up at the same time! Anyway, here is the photo.
 

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I suspect the chrome end cap has a lot of corrosion between the cap and the cast iron housing. Have you tried PB Blaster?
 
I've tried PB Blaster, even covering the lock so it could soak. Also many other products. It just won't move. I am thinking about removing the column so I can get a better angle to trying whacking on it while on a work bench. The corrosion angle could be it. It isn't in a very good place now to apply heat.
Bill
 
If there is a significant amount of steel in the assembly, I would consider soaking it in a vat of Evaporust.
 
Since its in the locked position it going to be difficult to remove the column.That spring loaded button in pic of post #22 is engaged in the locking collar .There are 2 screws securing that collar to the steering shaft.
 
If the steering wheel was off, would the tube have enough slop to pull off? Seems to me the pin sits in a slot with a rolled up edge to prevent it from turning, but not necessarily from sliding up or down. going off memory here, I dont have one apart to look at
 
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The end cap is what is holding up the assembly from coming loose. The end cap is die cast. At one time someone reproduced the end cap. Search around and if you can find another end cap I would then then drill a series of holes in the cap and slowly chisel and break it out.
 
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