Steering wheel lock 1931 Model 42

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The Saratoga Auto Museum has a ’31 42 DC phaeton. We tried to move it yesterday, and could not unlock the steering wheel. Car has not moved in 5 years. Key would not turn. Any ideas? Lube? Whatever?

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Hi Tony, Did the key move the tumbler at all? or is the seized in the column support? Does the switch lever move up and down any, or is it seized? Does the steering wheel move? or locked firmly against the locking pin?

A few suggestions:

You may have tried this, but turn the steering wheel slightly left and right, sometimes the pin has wedged into the slot in the steering shaft. With a slight turn to remove the pressure on the pin, it will then retract. Allowing the ignition switch lever ‘barrel’ to move to the right.

If that is not the problem, and the key tumbler itself is seized, I’d put some paper on the floor to catch drips, and gently spray around the tumbler with Brake Clean, or carb cleaner. The old, dried-up oil or lube needs a very thin, low viscosity solvent to soak into the gap around the tumbler. Keep working the key/tumber/lock lever. The Brake Clean will penetrate, but then will evaporate, you need to follow up with some form of penetrant that will not evaporate immediately, something like PB Blaster, or Kroil, or Liquid wrench, or a drop or two of ATF.

I have also had some luck with gently pulling on the switch handle to help it slide out, while gently turning the key. The key tumbler is trying to push the barrel with the ignition switch lever, so if the lever will move or wiggle a little, some gentle assistance will help overcome the friction.

Let us know what is seized and what worked if any.

Greg Long

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