Steering lock question.....

[sprint95m]

This question is regarding a 1979 Sprint.

The steering lock on this car is unlike the other Dolomites (and 2000s) I have owned.
When switching off you can turn the key all the way back to position 0, whereas I am
familiar with the key only going back to position 1, then having to be pressed and turned in order to reach position 0.

I am not familiar with the later Dolomites but nonetheless am thinking that this steering lock is faulty.
Any thoughts please?



thanks,
Ian.

[Tony Burd]

Hi Ian,

I don't think I have to press my lock in to return to position '0', will need to check as it does become something you do without thinking.

Does the steering lock when you remove the key?

[Carledo]

As far as I am aware, ALL Dolomite steering locks need that push in to return to the zero position, certainly the late one (from a 1980 built VIN'd car) that I have in my hand now, is made that way. And it's the original, since the door locks match it.

Though a degree of old age and wear DOES enter the equation, this one I have in hand needs a positive push but is from a late, low mileage car, the one that is currently in my Sprint is not quite so positive and the Carledo one, which gets a LOT of use, only needs the slightest inward pressure to disengage it. It's as if time and wear have rounded off what once was a right angled step and turned it into a shallow curve.

But I have had cases where the lock itself does not engage with the column for one reason or another and THAT can make the key action feel strange, so check and see if the lock actually engages and, if it does, don't fix it cos it ain't broke, just a bit tired!

Steve

[xvivalve]

I'm fairly certain you used to need to push the key in to release it on that car; try some light machine oil

[sprint95m]

Thanks for the replies.
I'll try some light lubrication on the lock.




Ian.

[Bumpa]

But I have had cases where the lock itself does not engage with the column for one reason or another and THAT can make the key action feel strange, so check and see if the lock actually engages and, if it does, don't fix it cos it ain't broke, just a bit tired!

Steve

The lock on my 1977 car doesn't engage with the column when the key is removed. The plunger doesn't come out of the lock. This doesn't bother me as long as it isn't going to engage while driving. I can't see that that could happen. I took the lock off the column but couldn't see what the problem was. It's not much of a theft deterrent at the best of times so I'm happy to leave it as long as it's safe.

[sprint95m]

The steering lock is faulty.
It is the push in type and stays "pushed" in.

This means that the key is very difficult to turn from the off position to position 1,
had to resort to removing the key and trying again.



thanks,
Ian.

[Carledo]

But I have had cases where the lock itself does not engage with the column for one reason or another and THAT can make the key action feel strange, so check and see if the lock actually engages and, if it does, don't fix it cos it ain't broke, just a bit tired!

Steve

The lock on my 1977 car doesn't engage with the column when the key is removed. The plunger doesn't come out of the lock. This doesn't bother me as long as it isn't going to engage while driving. I can't see that that could happen. I took the lock off the column but couldn't see what the problem was. It's not much of a theft deterrent at the best of times so I'm happy to leave it as long as it's safe.

In case you are interested, steering lock operation is one of a number of new checks being incorporated into the MOT test, as of May this year. The lock will need to lock in position and release to pass. This probably won't worry you as the car will be MOT exempt by then!

Other things to be tested include DRLs, reverse lights, brake fluid water content (a game changer this, as this, for the first time, allows the tester to remove something to do the test) there will also be a section on "unsafe modifications", no details as yet, but hopefully it will pick up on stupidly lowered cars and those with silly amounts of camber and stretched tyres. Again though, it will rely on what "IN THE TESTER'S OPINION" is unsafe! A huge can of worms! Oddly, spare wheel/tyre condition is once again conspicuous by it's absence, even though it is a legal requirement under C+U regs.

Steve

[dollyman]

Hi Steve,
I wonder if the spare wheel check would still apply if there is not one present at the time of the test?
If there is a blow and go kit in there
The locking check has been law in Germany for years.
Cheers,
Tony.

[sprint95m]

The steering lock test will only apply if one is fitted?
There will be no requirement to actually have one?



thanks,

Ian.

[Carledo]

Hi Steve,
I wonder if the spare wheel check would still apply if there is not one present at the time of the test?
If there is a blow and go kit in there
The locking check has been law in Germany for years.
Cheers,
Tony.

The point is, that there is STILL NOT going to be a spare wheel check on the MOT! BUt if there was, it would no doubt conform to the normal MOT rules, ie, if it's not there, it can't be failed! As far as I know, the ONLY thing that can be failed for being missing is a DPF on cars that SHOULD have one.

[Carledo]

The steering lock test will only apply if one is fitted?
There will be no requirement to actually have one?

thanks,

Ian.

This one is a bit tricky Ian, the normal tester's rule of thumb, is, if it isn't fitted, it can't be failed. But there are caveats on age related legal requirements. For steering locks, IIRC, the relevant date is 1971 when it became mandatory to fit them to British cars. However, a lot of testers have a "flexible" attitude to such technicalities and let them slide! I removed the drivers airbag from my 95 Cavalier (mandatory 94>) about 10 years ago and only once has a tester commented (and that's all, just a verbal comment) I did, of course, disable the airbag control box and remove the dash warning light bulb.

The reverse is also true, retro-fitted updates like rear seat belts, high level 3rd brake lights and rear fog lights MUST work if fitted, despite there being no legal necessity for them to BE fitted.

Steve

[MIG Wielder]

This question is regarding a 1979 Sprint.

The steering lock on this car is unlike the other Dolomites (and 2000s) I have owned.
When switching off you can turn the key all the way back to position 0, whereas I am
familiar with the key only going back to position 1, then having to be pressed and turned in order to reach position 0.

thanks,
Ian.

This does seem to be correct according to my 1850 Owners handbook.
Tony.

[sprint95m]

For steering locks, IIRC, the relevant date is 1971 when it became mandatory to fit them to British cars.

That'll be for cars sold in the UK? Saab 99 or 900? Rover P6?



Ian.

[Carledo]

For steering locks, IIRC, the relevant date is 1971 when it became mandatory to fit them to British cars.

That'll be for cars sold in the UK? Saab 99 or 900? Rover P6?

Ian.

Yeah i'm prety sure! It's when all the small chassis Triumphs got that half assed steering lock that sat halfway up the column under the dash that you couldn't find in the dark and bashed your knees on getting in! 71 is too early for a 900, but the 99 had it's gearshift lock in the centre from about 69 on and that was an acceptable substitute obviously since Saab were still using it in 2005! The Rover i'm not sure of, but, from memory, the facelifted dash came in around 71 and the steering lock with it. The only car I can think of that DIDN'T get an actual physical lock was the 71 model year Volvo Amazons (120 series if you want to be picky) these had an armoured standard ignition switch (which they'd had since a 64 facelift) which, I guess, was deemed adequate. When the 140 range was introdued in 72, it had a steering lock. The requirement was not for a steering lock per se, but for a "security device". Most manufacturers chose to interpret this as a steering lock, but a few, like Saab just HAD to be different!

Steve