1939 ford steering lock stuck

[STEVE O]

HI, ON MY 1939 DELUXE I WENT THROUGH THE PROCEDURE AND REMOVED MY KEY CYLINDER AND ALSO MY IGN SWITCH (THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH) BUT I CANT GET THE CYLINDER INSIDE THE COLUMN TO MOVE UP. THAT IS THE WAY IT HAS TO GO CORRECT? i'VE TAPPED WITH A PUNCH AND STILL IT WON'T SLIDE UP. ANY IDEAS? THANKS!

[36 flathead]

I think the cyclinder has to move to the right first. that will unlock the steering wheel

[JM 35 Sedan]

Steve, I have some information on how to take a '35-'36 steering drop apart and put it back together. Maybe this info would give you some ideas on how to work on your '39. Send me a PM with your email address if you want me to send it to you.

[Bruce Lancaster]

Also, check switch lever position. If OFF, you cannot move the main part of the locking bolt, only the spring loaded tip. Up is indeed the unlock position.

[OLD...BILL]

Steve-o- Look on the back on the drop. there is a PIN like the one you tuck out to get the key/cylinder out, that PIN limits the travel of the locking bold up or down,... Is the drop off the column tube?? Its helps if it is, you will find the locking bolt is two piece spring loaded ( in its self ) ...As for the locking bolt it should move about a 1/4 inch total. Soak it with Blaster, Kroil, Acetone/ATF mix, some heat, and tap,tap,tap, but get that pin out, You say you have the switch, off the drop. right? the pin is right there...half covered by the switch box.... OLD...BILL

[STEVE O]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Hi, on the 39 will the ign go to on until the switch is turned (plunger pushed up)? I got the ign lever out and got the plunger pushed up (along with the ignition collar) to where i can see the smaller shaft that goes down to the steering shaft but its still locked??????? Thanks everyone

[STEVE O]

Hi old bill,
thank you and everyone for your posts. I wrote my last post before refreshing and seeing your (old bill) post. My drop is still on the column and the column is still on the car. I'm trying to get the steering to turn so i can move the car around. After the handle for the ign switch came off i drove the plunger (from the lock cylinder hole) up to where i can see the smaller plunger but still its locked. Old bill you said its a spring loaded plunger in a plunger. With me seeing the smaller diameter it should be up enough i thought but its not??????? Thanks again!

[OLD...BILL]

Originally Posted by STEVE O

Hi old bill,
thank you and everyone for your posts. I wrote my last post before refreshing and seeing your (old bill) post. My drop is still on the column and the column is still on the car. I'm trying to get the steering to turn so i can move the car around. After the handle for the ign switch came off i drove the plunger (from the lock cylinder hole) up to where i can see the smaller plunger but still its locked. Old bill you said its a spring loaded plunger in a plunger. With me seeing the smaller diameter it should be up enough i thought but its not??????? Thanks again!

HEY STEVE-O: So you see a small dia. about 1/2 " the main bolt is 3/4" and at the very top is 3/8". your right is up high enough to un-lock ??? the only thing I can think of. .. the plunger in the bolt has unloaded, itself, into the "locking collor on the steering shaft" ... I would unbolt the drop from the dash and the collar at the steering box, and turn the steering wheel, so I colud see the column drop, better ...?not much help ?? and drill that pin out ?? keep in touch... OLD....BILL

[STEVE O]

Hi old bill, thanks again. That makes sense. I'll let you know. How does the upper side of this plunger work with it having a center plunger? Other than the lock cyl lifting up the main (large plunger does something line up to let the on/off turn and also lift the center smaller plunger more? Thanks!

[jerry grayson]

I don't understand what this "multi-plunger" talk is about. Their is only one plunger. You said that you have removed the lock cylinder, so if you will look on the back of the cylinder you will see an eccentric. this eccentric moves the "plunger" up and down. If you put a screwdriver or something in the cylinder hole and move the "plunger" up you can unlock it. The switch housing on the back of the drop has nothing to do with moving the plunger.

[STEVE O]

Hi old bill & everyone who responed. I got my steering drop loose from the dash and loosened the tube clamp at the steering gear. I found out that my problem is deeper than the lock assembly. The shaft will turn just a little so its not the bearings rusted fast on the steering shaft. Next time i guess i'll drop the drag link but i think its stuck in the gear. I'll let you all know... Thanks again,
steve

[Bruce Lancaster]

On the "multi-plunger" talk...of course there is only one, BUT the lower tip that actually goes into the slot on the steering shaft is spring loaded. This is so that the thing can be turned to "lock" position when the steering is between slots...the spring compresses to take up the needed space for plunger to rest on the land of the collar...then as soon as the steering moves the lock will drop into the first groove that comes up.

[STEVE O]

Hi bruce, that makes since. I think i know how it works now. Thanks for your help and everyone else who wrote. Steve

[Bill Wyckoff]

I know this is an old post but I hope someone can help me. 1937 pickup, I've owned since high school and has been in a barn for 55 years. Trying to get it back on the road. The steering lock will not release. I've tried about every penetrating oil, removed the lock (which still operates), and tried a little hammer/punch. None of this worked and I didn't want to destroy anything. The button (end cap) is flush on the right side and the lock slide (plunger) will not move.
Bill

[TJ]

Move the steering wheel back and forth as you are trying to move the mechanism. Sometimes they get jammed up and moving the steering wheel can release it.

[Bill Wyckoff]

TJ I've jacked up the front taking wheels off the ground and moved the wheel many times. I just can't get it to move. If you can give me your email, I'll send a photo showing lock position. This has really got me as I want to move the truck and no steering isn't helping.
Bill
[email protected]

[deuce lover]

Normally the toggle in off position you turn the key in the lock cyl (If it is in place and it only goes one way) and the chrome button moves out. That releases the column.

[Bill Wyckoff]

The chrome button on mine is flush and won't move. I have photos I can send.
Thanks,
Bill

[TJ]

Originally Posted by Bill Wyckoff

TJ I've jacked up the front taking wheels off the ground and moved the wheel many times. I just can't get it to move. If you can give me your email, I'll send a photo showing lock position. This has really got me as I want to move the truck and no steering isn't helping.
Bill
[email protected]

Bill send me a private message from this forum and you can attach a photo. Just click on my name and it will bring up the PM link.

[Bill Wyckoff]

This is my very first attempt at posting a photo so I hope it works. The photo shows the button flush and it will not move.

Bill