E30 Zone

I'm aware that to remove the steering wheel i need to have the ignition key to unlock the column, but is there a way of getting one off if the key is missing?

I'm asking because i missed out on a Tech1 a while back that was in a scrapyard, and i dont want it happening again...

Dont think there is without breakding the steering lock! Brianmoore will be along shortly to verify!

Steering lock engages in a register on the inner rear face of the steery wheel.
So you would have to attack the security bolts that retain the lock to the column to release the wheel.
Perhaps the easy way in the scrappy is to hack the entire column off and take it home so you can play with it on the bench!

daimlerman wrote:Steering lock engages in a register on the inner rear face of the steery wheel.
So you would have to attack the security bolts that retain the lock to the column to release the wheel.
Perhaps the easy way in the scrappy is to hack the entire column off and take it home so you can play with it on the bench!

Bloody hell, sounds a bit of a mission! I let my brother loose on the last wheel i missed out on, and even he couldn't shift it. Believe me, he really tried!

I was hoping for someone to post "yeh, just slip a little screwdriver in and give it a twist" sort of thing...

Basic BMW security!
The column as well as the lock unit is secured to the frame by security bolts.
No easy way in,sorry.

Last time I had this problem in a scrapyard, I attacked the alloy of the lock about half way between the key and the wheel, where there is a pin that the lock bar hinges on. IIRC, I sawed into the alloy either side of the pin until it could be dispatched with a chisel.

Are there even any scrappys where you can climb all over the cars to do this any more. My local went all health and safety few years ago. Used to have a whale of a time climbing all over cars!

funny this i once read in the e30 bible on how to do this so if you can get a copy it may help you out

Cheers for the replies guys. Next time i'm in a scrappy i'll have a hacksaw in my bag, and i'll look out for the E30 bible too

U will need a cordless drill and a screw driver. Drill in to the ignition once done you should be able to turn the ignition with the screw driver