General Ignition/steering lock removal

[kalsig]

Hi, I'm new to the forum so please be patient. I just acquired a 70's (don't know the year yet) 500L. It's really rough and didn't come with a key. How do I remove the ignition/steering lock so I can turn the wheels to move it around etc. until I get a new key or lock barrel? Thanks

 

[oopsadaisy]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!

Hmmmmmm....... ours hasn't got a steering lock, and I can't find a reference to it in the Haynes manual.

I would guess it's probably clamped to the steering column with a couple of shear off secuity screws which will probably need to be drilled out.

I know someone whose car HAS got a steering lock though....

:idea: pandavan????

 

[kalsig]

Thanks, I couldn't find it anywhere either. It's probably simple but so far it has me beat.

 

[Panda Van]

Hello Kalsig and welcome to the forum

Mine has got a steering lock, ill take a look if there is any obvious way of removal. Im guessing it will only come off by breaking it, though as a quick fix just to move it about you could unbolt the steering column near the dash so as to spin the whole thing or unbolt the column from the bottom UJ and turn the wheels by hand.:chin:

 

[a73uk]

Fiat keys were quite basic then, get your hands on a selection of old Fiat keys (if your in Italy I`m sure your family, like mine, will have several sets to long gone Fiats! if not, ask your local garage (if you know them) for some sets of 70`s & 80`s Fiat group keys.

Gently slide them in & out the barrel (the last 1/3rd of travel) while softly turning clockwise, jiggling them up & down gently at the same time. Eventually one will turn.

You then remove the barrel by turning the key to the 1st position, then push the pin in, this pin is located the side of the barrel housing (after removing the plastic column trim), once pressed, pull the barrel out the housing using the key to pull it out.

You can then change the lock or get a key cut to fit the barrel at a locksmith.

 

[kalsig]

Thanks everyone. I pulled the column loose for now to move the car. I've tried a couple of friends' keys but I'll try a garage next and probably find one to fit as you suggested. It's a 1972 L model that needs a lot of work, but then if it didn't, it wouldn't be a project, right? Thanks again.

 

[Panda Van]

Good luck with the project - any pics of it ????

 

[cobwebs72]

did you manage to sort out the steering lock? i have the same problem, so stuck!!?? x

 

[kalsig]

No, I couldn't find a key to fit so I drilled out the lock barrel. Two locksmiths here in Sicily told me that the lock barrels are obsolete so I'll remove the lock altogether and build a new column mount. Good luck with yours.

 

[cobwebs72]

and no one could cut a new key from the barrel? x