Club 80-90 Forums

So far have removed, Steering Wheel, Plastic Cowling, Switches from Steering Column,Unpluged Everything,Undone Allen Key Bolt, Ignition Key in Position One (steering unlocked) The only part I don't understand on Wiki, from Red Westie is 'knock around the shear head of the housing clamp bolt (underneath)
Cannot find this so unable remove the Housing or the white plastic switch. Any advise please
Many Thanks
Cyprus Dave

Ayup mate,
The aluminium ignition housing was clamped together 'originally' with a sheer bolt (an 8mm security bolt with tapered shank...the head litterally twists off when the bolt is tightened, making it's removal difficult) as in a deterent against removal. This bolt head has to be chiselled around to remove and once off the clamp can be opened a little and the housing knocked upwards to remove.
The security bolt may or may not still be there, either way it can be replaced with a normal 13mm head, 8mm bolt.
As you have indicated...to retract the steering lock the key has to be inserted and turned.

You are almost there mate...
Red Westie is my wifes avatar and one I used to use.
Martin

Maybe stating the obvious here, but I used a steering lock removing tool when I replaced the ignition switch.

Not worth buying as you'd probably never use it again, but it might make things a bit easier if you know someone who's got one.

Bilson wrote:Maybe stating the obvious here, but I used a steering lock removing tool when I replaced the ignition switch.

Not worth buying as you'd probably never use it again, but it might make things a bit easier if you know someone who's got one.

Not very obvious to me and I was on the workshop floor for 14 years.

What is a steering lock removal tool?

Hammer & Screwdriver lol. ?

Martin

The one I used was basically a long bolt with a bracket with three little arms bolted on to it, (vaguely like a grabber machine thing people waste money on).

The arms sit round the back of the housing, bolt sits in the centre of steering column, then as the bolt is tightened it draws the housing free.

sounds like a standard puller

Looks exactly as it sounds like.

Standard 3 legged puller.

And you don't need one to remove the barrel housing, it just slides up with a knock from a plastic or hide mallet.

Martin

Oh well, I stand corrected, although it did come in handy for me.

At least I am not wrong about one thing, it does look like one of those grabber things that some people waste money on!

(someone else might know the correct name for them though)

Out of interest, what are standard 3 leg pullers generally used for?

Pulling bearings off shafts, sleaves off upper steering columns. Often used in gearbox dismantling or any components using an interference fit.

Martin

nice one, not much there that I'm likely to be doing soon, mine will continue to improve on its dust gathering capabilities for the foreseeable.

Bilson wrote:Out of interest, what are standard 3 leg pullers generally used for?

Removing things that are stuck/don't come off easily, generally hubs/pullys/gears on shafts.

Also good for getting lawnmower blades off when you need to sharpen them.

Best ones are those that can be converted between 2 and 3 legs, though you can be sure that whatever it is you need to pull, neither 2 nor 3 legs will quite fit


E D I T: should have refreshed the page before hitting send, started replying an hour ago, then put the laptop to sleep...

82JEW75 wrote:

Bilson wrote:Out of interest, what are standard 3 leg pullers generally used for?

Also good for getting lawnmower blades off when you need to sharpen them.

That's a job that needs doing!

Thanks everyone for your help, got the housing off by undoing the clamp bolt, then removing the plastic tube (with 3 little slots cut in it)
Removed the switch by removing the little screw. Found the problem, the small arm in the barrel that turns when Key is operated had broken with part of it jammed in the switch. Tested the switch by turning it with a screwdriver and the van started. Soo It looks like a new barrel, £45 +vat+ export costs from GFS,
or £10+£3.95 delivery on Ebay for a new one. My only concern is the write up says, Fits Vw Transporter Type 25 1979-90 New Type 25? (mine is 1985) Have asked vendor to clarify New type 25, but any comments most welcome
Once again many thanks
Cyprus Dave

Really pleased you have found the fault even if it wasn't the switch.
That advert is slightly odd but it is quite clear about the part being for a T25 1979 - 1991 so I don't think you have any worries there.

You already know about drilling a hole to remove the lock...there is a VW diagram somewhere which gives exact dimensions to the drill point (I'm sure when you get to that time someone will post it up for you.)

Martin