I have a D-reg Charlie, but no keys, that needs moving asap - to save it from the scrapyard's crusher.

Can anyone tell me how to remove the steering lock safely? It's not "engaged" the wheel turns ok, but I will need to get the lock off before I can move it onto a trailer.

I had a look for previous posts, and it looks like I need to drill or cut the u-bolt, but what with, and does anything else needs to come off, please?

Many thanks,

Andy

Youll need some allen keys, you need to remove the back / bottom cover IIRC. Sure someone will fill in the gaps but very easy.

As James said... If you look at the back of the steering lock, you'll either see a little tin cover - held in with a single screw - or the back of a thick collar.

Underneath, there's a gap in the casting. If you turn the steering, you'll see an allen bolt's head appear. Loosen it. Turn the steering, and you'll see the other allen bolt. Loosen it. The collar will (eventually) drop down the column. Remove it. Bingo, steering lock bypassed.

PLEASE don't let the lock engage whilst you turn the steering... You'll see the cutout in the collar - the tongue comes out of the lock straight sideways into it.

If there's no collar, then there's no steering lock and you'll be fine.

If the steering lock's engaged, then the fun starts.

If you do need to remove the housing, don't cut the U-bolt. The nuts might still have their sheer heads on, or you can just file flats onto the cones, then undo 'em as if they were normal nuts.

BTW, this IS your car, right?

why dont you just un-clamp the steering linkage at the axle the turn the front wheels by hand?

Because you need to remove the lock collar to be able to lift the column up high enough to clear the pinion...

really? i guess that makes sense.

Thanks for the replies, yes it's my car - saved from the scrappy, and needs moving!!! Just haven't got any of the usual things like keys or paperwork or mot or tax. And I don't want to lock the steering in trying to load it on a trailer

I'll let you know how I get on

Hmm, didn't exactly go as described, bolt undone - but tin cover didn't budge - and therefore no access to the allen bolts! Boo. In the end the angle grinder did come out, to cut the u-bolt and the tin cover plate which still hadn't shifted! It wasn't pretty, but at least I can now move the car to safety a long way from the crusher!! Perhaps I should have paid the £50 to have a new key made!!!! You live and learn.

Andy