Ignition barrel

[macplaxton]

Jumped into the GS the other night to get to work, but then had to change plan and jump in the Volvo.

Key didn't want to enter the ignition barrel.

Haven't buried my head in a manual yet as I've been at work, but I guess it's fairly straightforward to do. Any tips or warnings most welcome...

Cheers.

[citronut]

there are people that say you need to remove the complete dash fascia but this is no required on GS or /A ,

i haven't done one for many moons but i think basically once you have removed the plastic bit immediately around the steering column, then undo the pinch bolt at the universal joint below the dash, you should now be able to pull the wheel with the top section of the column shaft out through the top support mount,
now undo the bolts holding the top mount to the body and you should be able to maneuver this away and out,

do you have a spare lock as i might have one i could take some dosh from you for

[macplaxton]

Thanks Malcolm, I did have a look around and see descriptions of the bendiness of the dash to work around getting it out. I don't have a spare lock here and they seem NLA now on the Valeo catalogue (although they had a pic), but I'll see what state it is in first before digging in my pocket.

[citronut]

it'll be the tumblers collapsed Max,
mind you you can remove the lock,separate it from the switch then use it with a screw driver to turn the switch till you get a replacement lock,

[macplaxton]

1) Popped the cover panel just below the clocks.
2) Undid the pinch bolt and removed the steering wheel (wasn't rotated to lock when I parked it)
3) Removed steering lock switch multiplug.
4) Undid two upper outer column body bolts from the bottom and four from the top.
5) Pulled the lower dash panel plastic down far enough (it's very flexible) and manoeuvred the upper column assembly out from the bottom.
6) Plugged in the Dremel and whizzed a slot in the top of the shear bolt.

So I've got this far at the minute (sorry for the poor phone pics, misplaced my normal camera):


2013-01-28_19-27-34_716.jpg by macplaxton, on Flickr


2013-01-28_19-28-09_816.jpg by macplaxton, on Flickr


2013-01-28_19-28-35_334.jpg by macplaxton, on Flickr

[macplaxton]

Okay, I seem to have worked round this:


2013-01-28_19-58-04_713a.jpg by macplaxton, on Flickr


2013-01-28_19-58-53_307a.jpg by macplaxton, on Flickr

The first tumbler pin circled in red, had broken off and was sitting at an angle into the lock, preventing key insertion. Once removed the key could be inserted all the way. It can also be turned okay, so I'll live with it a bit longer. The red arrow in the second picture shows a hairline crack at the front of the barrel, with the green one showing where the broken piece of pin came from.

Thanks Malcolm, but I may not be sticking my hands deep in my pocket just yet!

[citronut]

there y go,

also the locks i have wont be a fortune Max they are second hand

[macplaxton]

Fair enough, I'll keep you in mind.

Whilst the locks will be cheap, postage to the RoI never is

Now will this outer upper column go back in as easy as it came out? (refitting is the reversal of removal)

[citronut]

Now will this outer upper column go back in as easy as it came out? (refitting is the reversal of removal)

of course it will Max

[citnut3]

This should be one of the spare parts you carry in your tool box in the car if travelling away from home. However, I suppose that if you have just fitted a brand new steering lock, you should be safe for a while! Another essential item is flexible fuel pipe for the pump to carb etc. These pipes can look perfect but fail unexpectedly, especially in hot weather as I have discovered.

[macplaxton]

Might be worth carrying a cordless multitool also, to slot the shear bolt then. The only problem is: where do you stop? On the whole, this car has been fairly reliable, but the main source of grief was the S.E.V. dizzy. Grrr!!

[citnut3]

I note of your point about tools but I would get a garage [or AA/RAC?] to change the ignition barrel for me as it is not something I would want to do. If I was in a remote part of Scotland, as I have been in a GSA, it is the lack of the spare part that is the critical factor.

[macplaxton]

it is the lack of the spare part that is the critical factor.

True, but as Malcolm said, if you can remove complete ignition barrel, the lower plastic switch half is only held on with a spring ring. Whip that off and it's screwdriver operable until another lock is to hand.

[uhn113x]

Looks as if you're all well sorted now, R, but:

Apart from the extra connections on the switch, the rest of the lock, including the steering lock bolt and shear bolt, look the same as the ones on a Dyane (and possibly an Ami).

[macplaxton]

Handy to know that Mike. Cheers.