Need help! can't get lock cylinder out to remove steering lock

[arpenn]

Last night I drilled the switch and got the spring out, but that was all that came out of the 1/4 hole I drilled. What would happen if a guy removed that whole disk? Could you then remove the lock pin also? Would the ignition switch still work? We have a HSDE in 2 weeks so we are leaving the key switch for now. I was just wondering if anyone has removed the lock pin also?

[AntonioGG]

I'm not sure how different the Civic ingition switch assembly is compared to a Miata, but in the Miata a single screw (or maybe two, can't remember) holds the cylinder to the actual switch part. What I did in my car is to take the whole thing off the car...from looking at online diagrams, it looks like a simple job in the Civic, and that maybe a single recessed screw from the back allows removal of the cylinder. Looks like a bracket with two screws holds the whole thing to the column. I'd remove that, disconnect the switch, then you can Dremel or chisel your way in to remove the pin.

I know people that have: removed the spring and RTV'ed the pin in place, removed the spring and screwed the pin in place, and opened the whole thing up and removed the pin completely. I opted for removing the whole thing. I just took a cold chisel to the cover and took the little block/"pin" out.

If I were you I would not drive around (let alone race) unless you secure the pin, or even better, remove it.

That's my opinion.

Regarding an alternate way to turn on the car, I think for some people it IS a safety issue, either because it's hard to restart the car if it dies, or because they will turn it off accidentally with their knee (seen it happen).

[Eagle7]

Regarding an alternate way to turn on the car, I think for some people it IS a safety issue, either because it's hard to restart the car if it dies, or because they will turn it off accidentally with their knee (seen it happen).

Done it - in my first race ever. I've now got a toggle switch on the console.

[dhardison]

Last night I drilled the switch and got the spring out, but that was all that came out of the 1/4 hole I drilled. What would happen if a guy removed that whole disk? Could you then remove the lock pin also? Would the ignition switch still work? We have a HSDE in 2 weeks so we are leaving the key switch for now. I was just wondering if anyone has removed the lock pin also?

Not a Civic, but on my '00 SSC Focus I removed the whole disk and out popped the spring and lock pin. Couldn't have been simpler.

It would concern me that jarring around during a race that pin might jump back up and jam the wheel. Unlikely but............

Dan

[racer-025]

I have a PDF graphic of how to wire this on your civic. Shoot me an email and I'll send you a copy.

bmcnutt AT heritagegas DOT com

[arpenn]

Well last night I removed the whole disk but I couldn't get the pin to come out. The disk was a real pain in the azz, but I got it off. I thought the pin would just slide out but it didn't. Anyone else try this on a honda?

[ddewhurst]

Just to flame the legal/illegal steering lock fire a bit. I'll throw out some facts. Oh, oh look out here comes the sleeping giant off the couch.

With my 1985 1st gen RX-7 Spec-7/ITA & with my 1990 Spec Miata with a drill press I REMOVED the steering lock lug from the ignition switch. As of this date if the rule has not been changed via a Fastrack the rule specifies that the steering lock SHALL be REMOVED. Not defeated.

If people don't follow the simple easy rules it sure allows people to wonder what other rules they don't follow.

[arpenn]

David,
I don't understand the point of your post I am trying to remove the lock pin, I just can't get it out, so I asked if anyone knew how to remove it? What does that have to do with disabling?

[ddewhurst]

Aaron, my comment was not aimed in your direction.


***I know people that have: removed the spring and RTV'ed the pin in place, removed the spring and screwed the pin in place, ***

My comment was aimed at these ^ peole who defeat the steering lock & defeat the rules.

[EV]

Just to flame the legal/illegal steering lock fire a bit. I'll throw out some facts. Oh, oh look out here comes the sleeping giant off the couch.

With my 1985 1st gen RX-7 Spec-7/ITA & with my 1990 Spec Miata with a drill press I REMOVED the steering lock lug from the ignition switch. As of this date if the rule has not been changed via a Fastrack the rule specifies that the steering lock SHALL be REMOVED. Not defeated.

If people don't follow the simple easy rules it sure allows people to wonder what other rules they don't follow.

As an FYI there is a new rule change to the steering lock coming to a GCR near you

Effective 11/1/08, change section 9.3.41 to read as follows:
Steering wheel lock devices shall be removed or disabled (except Showroom Stock and
Touring).

[Bob Roth]

This is from memory on my 88 crx. As I recall, there are two security bolts holding the entire lock mechanism to the column. A security bolt is one where when you install it, the head breaks off, leaving a flat surface making it hard to remove. They are visable from the top of the column.

What I did was used my dremel tool with a cutoff wheel to cut a screw driver slot in the top of each bolt. Then I turned them out with a screwdriver and pulled the assembly off. Once off, I used an angle grinder (or a dremel with same cutoff wheel) to grind down the pin so that it was flush. I then reasembled the lock mechanism. It worked for 2 CRX's that I had.

[CCARVER]

Well last night I removed the whole disk but I couldn't get the pin to come out. The disk was a real pain in the azz, but I got it off. I thought the pin would just slide out but it didn't. Anyone else try this on a honda?

There is a hole on one side of the cylinder that releases the key drum so you can slide the pin out. It took me a few min to figure out that is what that random hole does. The hole is visible above the number 9 in this photo.
Hope that helps.
Take it off the column and play with it. It is quite obvious when you get to that point.
Carver

[arpenn]

We have tried to release the lock cylinder, but could not get it to come out. I have the factory service manual and I followed the procedure in there, but it would not come out. When we pull the dash out to redo part of the cage I will take the column out and take it apart then.