Steering Locked While Driving

Richard Card · 03-22-2002, 07:05 PM

I have a 94 Mustang, while driving the steering suddenly locked in place! The car wouldn't shut off, the key comes out from any position, there's no resistance to turning the key. Has anyone else had this problem? I know this is a problem in the ignition/locking mechanizim, anyone have a suggestion to keep this from happening again? It's real exciting having no steering at 30mph, I don't want to try it at 70...

Richard Card · 03-24-2002, 08:25 AM

Just so everyone knows how this happens. The ignition lock cyl. turns a tab that slides a 2 piece plastic rod inside the steering column that selects the correct setting on the ignition switch. The plastic rod is joined by a metal pin stuck in a hole at the end of the top half. This fits a slot in the bottom half. There's no positive lock on that pin, it just sits there easily pressed into the hole. Well it fell out and jambed in the steering column keeping the car from steering! There wasn't anything broken and there's no way to keep it from happening again. To get to this you have to take out the entire steering column and disassemble it, it took me about 4 hours. Once you know what you're looking for you can see it through the joint for the tilt wheel and see if its all the way in the hole or not.

Stang Runner · 03-25-2002, 07:37 AM

Glad you found it.

03-22-2002, 07:05 PM	#1
Richard Card Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Indialantic FL Posts: 2	Steering Locked While Driving I have a 94 Mustang, while driving the steering suddenly locked in place! The car wouldn't shut off, the key comes out from any position, there's no resistance to turning the key. Has anyone else had this problem? I know this is a problem in the ignition/locking mechanizim, anyone have a suggestion to keep this from happening again? It's real exciting having no steering at 30mph, I don't want to try it at 70...

03-24-2002, 08:25 AM	#2
Richard Card Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Indialantic FL Posts: 2	Update on steering locking while driving. Just so everyone knows how this happens. The ignition lock cyl. turns a tab that slides a 2 piece plastic rod inside the steering column that selects the correct setting on the ignition switch. The plastic rod is joined by a metal pin stuck in a hole at the end of the top half. This fits a slot in the bottom half. There's no positive lock on that pin, it just sits there easily pressed into the hole. Well it fell out and jambed in the steering column keeping the car from steering! There wasn't anything broken and there's no way to keep it from happening again. To get to this you have to take out the entire steering column and disassemble it, it took me about 4 hours. Once you know what you're looking for you can see it through the joint for the tilt wheel and see if its all the way in the hole or not.

03-25-2002, 07:37 AM	#3
Stang Runner Registered Member Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Walker, MI, USA Posts: 1,202	Glad you found it. __________________ Engine: steel mounts, Under drive pulleys, K&N, GT-40 Intake ported Lower, No power steering, No A/C, Mac cold intake, 65MM TB, 255 Fuel pump, 24's, AFR 165 58cc, Rocker Arms 1.7with the stock Cam, 1 5/8 short headers, offRoad X-pipe Drive Train: 3.55, T-5 with a Pro 5.0 shifter 12.656@107.71MPH See It at www.T-racing.com/mustang.htm

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