Buick Skylark - Steering Wheel Won't Lock

20 years of dirt? Where are you? Have you tried some spray lubricant?

The little thingy isn't coming down and going through the slot in the anti-theft ring.

Or does it come up?

Tap it with a hammer.

Well, I'm not where the car is. Its a family members car and she couldn't get it inspected because of the steering wheel problem. Estimates she received on it where anywhere from 300 to 900 bucks, which is absolutely outrageous for something that can't be more than a simple locking mechanism near the ignition. I have never taken apart a skylark steering column, either way 900 bucks is a whole lot of steering column. I let you know whether it is up or down. Uh..., don't wait to anxiously by the computer though it might be a couple of days before i can get to it. Thanks, have a good evening.

Any decent car thief would sort it in 30 seconds for free (though he may be more used to making it go the other way).

If you have to remove the steering wheel, you'll need a tool to push the locking ring/steering wheel down on the shaft so that you can remove the split wire ring that captures the wheel on the shaft. It might be called a steering wheel compressor. The auto parts store will know what you need if you tell them what you're doing.

Good Luck. And don't you feel safer knowing that Big Brother is watching over you?

If the OP is able to get the steering wheel off, it will expose the two common things that would defeat the locking system of the wheel.

1. Dirt or misalignment of the locking pin. The locking pin on these cars is only spring loaded to the lock position. This was to allow the key to be turned to the lock position at any rotation of the steering wheel. The lock should then spring into one of the slots of the lock plate whenever it aligns. There could be some old coffee or soda that has gummed up the pin. Could also be a bent pin from someone trying to force a locked column.

2. Some idiot Mechanic A could have not bothered to reinstall the lock plate.

Both situations should be visible without need of the special lock plate compressor.

"lock plate compressor" Thanks Bob.

I figured there was a real name for it and that a real mechanic would remind me of it.

Looks like it might be a relatively easy fix.

_{It's going to be in the 70's here today. How's the weather in Florida?}

Thanks Bob,

That should give me all I need. When she told me that they were giving estimates of 900$, i was guessing they were planning on replaceing the trans while they were fixing the locking pin.

The replacement of the transmission as a part of the steering wheel repair is only authorized if there is warranty payment available.

If you are going to do the job yourself, and would like some pictures, I can try to scan some when I return on Tuesday. Good luck.

GA Andy. It's been my experience in all my vehicles that the steering wheel won't lock until the key is removed. I speculate it is a safety issue. Consider this: You're banging through the gears and suddenly the throttle plate sticks in the wide open throttle (WOT) position. Some would simply panic, hang on for dear life careening through traffic, or try to slow the vehicle with their brakes 'til they're cherry red and billowing smoke, or the driver who has ever considered this to be a possibility with some forethought, would simply reach down and turn the key to the Oh-Eff-Eff position and coast over to the shoulder. In this circumstance it would be nice to be able to be able to steer the vehicle as well.

Been there, done that.

I agree entirely.....thanks for the GA!

Are you also a graduate of the Chevrolet motor mount- throttle linkage binding school of rapid learning?