How to unlock steering - 70 Cuda

Posted By: da50r

How to unlock steering - 70 Cuda - 03/19/15 01:04 AM

I inherited a 70 Cuda 2 years ago. It sat in a barn for 30 years. Then it has been in my dads shop for 5 years. We took the drive shaft out to roll it. But the roll back guy put it on the rollback, and rolled it straight into the shop. Well my shop is done and it's time to bring it home. It's not like the steering column is locked, just like the sterring theft lock has it locked. We don't have any keys for it. The locksmith wants $150 to key it. Is there any way I can take the locking mechanism out without taking the column out? I'm having to take off work to go get it, so it's not like I've got days to pull the column and so on. Just trying to figure out a good way to unlock it so I can steer it into my trailer and into my shop. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.

Posted By: Alaskan_TA

Re: How to unlock steering - 70 Cuda - 03/19/15 01:09 AM

Remove the lock rod from the lower column bracket in the engine bay.

Move bracket to rotate outer column.

You may have to tie it in place.

I am not sure if it will work without a key though.

I have gotten lucky a few times with keys to other cars, so if you have any spares or a pal with spares that may work too.

Posted By: da50r

Re: How to unlock steering - 70 Cuda - 03/19/15 01:19 AM

Ah. Yeah. Wonder if it bypasses the key that way?

Posted By: AARCONV

Re: How to unlock steering - 70 Cuda - 03/19/15 02:35 AM

my lock rods are missing and the steering wheel still locks...best way to do it I guess is to either front lift the car by the wheels or disconnect the column assy ..i would guess if you unplugged the harness and remove the 2 bolts off the dash you can turn the whole assy as one..I would go with the smaller tow truck with the wheel lift..using a floor jack to get it in position for the lift

Posted By: da50r

Re: How to unlock steering - 70 Cuda - 03/19/15 03:23 AM

Is there a way to remove the ignition cylinder and go that route?

Posted By: Steve Bryant

Re: How to unlock steering - 70 Cuda - 03/19/15 03:33 AM

First, I will tell you the ignition switch is pretty cheap. I think I bought the switch and door locks for less than $50. I tell you this in case you get to the point where it needs to be broken...

Second, to get to the switch is pretty easy but you will need a gear or wheel puller to get the can off of the steering rod. You first remove the wheel, then you need to pull off the can. The can has two bolt holes down deep that you use for leverage to press out the can.

Once you get that off, there is a snap ring and then the you can remove the blinker section. Once you get that deep, you can just flip up the lock lever so the cog spins freely and the wheels will turn.

I found this photo online that shows how the lock works inside the column. The ignition switch is under this but you would need to press out the pin from this cog to get to it.

Just push that lever up and the cog and wheels will turn.

Attached picture 8464447-Untitled.jpg

Posted By: Alaskan_TA

Re: How to unlock steering - 70 Cuda - 03/19/15 03:58 AM

If you can get the number off your ignition cylinder, Dan can cam make a key for you.

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...part=1&vc=1

Posted By: MoparforLife

Re: How to unlock steering - 70 Cuda - 03/19/15 10:44 AM

Take out a door lock and have a locksmith make a key shouldn't cost 160 bucks if you take the cylinder to him. A lot of Chrysler dealerships can do it too. Doors and ignition are keyed alike

Posted By: 70Cudha

Re: How to unlock steering - 70 Cuda - 03/19/15 03:35 PM

Quote:

Take out a door lock and have a locksmith make a key shouldn't cost 160 bucks if you take the cylinder to him. A lot of Chrysler dealerships can do it too. Doors and ignition are keyed alike

On the inside door panel remove the doorlock lever, remove the screw from armrest and screws from the door panel, remove the clip from the lock linkage, remove the lock cylinder retainer clip and take it to your local locksmith to get a key cut. quickest easiest fix. And hey you can inspect and perform maintenance to your window regulator at the same time.
Good Luck

Posted By: CYACOP

Re: How to unlock steering - 70 Cuda - 03/19/15 06:46 PM

His door key may not match the ignition key for sure.

Posted By: EV2RTSE

Re: How to unlock steering - 70 Cuda - 03/19/15 07:10 PM

Quote:

i would guess if you unplugged the harness and remove the 2 bolts off the dash you can turn the whole assy as one..

I believe this will in fact work as I seem to remember doing this with a parts car I had years ago.

Posted By: toplescuda

locked steering - 03/19/15 07:27 PM

If ya dont want to mess with the keys. Un do the horn pad. Pull wheel off back the big nut off down inside the can. And put wheel back on. Give wheel a good yank. The can will slide up. And the wheel inter lock will not interfere any more. Iv done it on more then one mopar

Posted By: Steve Bryant

Re: How to unlock steering - 70 Cuda - 03/19/15 07:34 PM

In my Cuda, the two did not match. I suspect someone swapped a door lock. I have since changed all three out to make them match.

Posted By: 70Cudha

Re: How to unlock steering - 70 Cuda - 03/20/15 03:12 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Take out a door lock and have a locksmith make a key shouldn't cost 160 bucks if you take the cylinder to him. A lot of Chrysler dealerships can do it too. Doors and ignition are keyed alike

On the inside door panel remove the doorlock lever, remove the screw from armrest and screws from the door panel, remove the clip from the lock linkage, remove the lock cylinder retainer clip and take it to your local locksmith to get a key cut. quickest easiest fix. And hey you can inspect and perform maintenance to your window regulator at the same time.
Good Luck

Alternately
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-1971-70-71-...f80&vxp=mtr

Posted By: IMGTX

Re: How to unlock steering - 70 Cuda - 03/21/15 12:24 AM

It doesn't take long to pull the lock cylinder or remove the lock plate.

1. Disconnect the battery & remove the Steering Wheel. Remove the large nut holding the corrugated can on the steering column and use a puller with some long bolts to remove the can.
2. Remove the 3 screws holding the Turn signal Switch assembly and the 1 screw holding the lever to the switch.
3. Remove the snap ring holding the bearing to the shaft.
4. Remove the 3 screws holding the upper housing to the middle housing.
5. Disconnect the wiring under the column to give slack so you can move the upper housing out of the way.
6. Wiggle the Turns Signal switch up and out of the way. You can now pull a little slack out of the wiring you disconnected and freed in steps 5.
8. Wiggle or gently pry the upper column housing off of the middle column housing and pull it off the shaft. It's OK to let it hang on the Turn Signal Switch wiring if you need to but be gentle.
9. Remove the other snap ring on the shaft.
10. Pry up to remove the collar from the lock plate and then drive out the pin under the collar . Remove the lock plate.
11. Remove the two screws holding the column lock mechanism in place.
12. Under that plate you will see a small bolt. Remove it and the lock cylinder will come out. Later models have a small hole push a pin in it and pull out to remove the lock cylinder. Do not have keys in the lock cylinder.
13. Reassemble as needed.

Posted By: cuda-sweden

Re: locked steering - 03/21/15 08:23 PM

Quote:

If ya dont want to mess with the keys. Un do the horn pad. Pull wheel off back the big nut off down inside the can. And put wheel back on. Give wheel a good yank. The can will slide up. And the wheel inter lock will not interfere any more. Iv done it on more then one mopar