1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

need help removing ignition switch

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Old 03-02-05, 10:49 AM
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need help removing ignition switch

i already have my steering wheel and the turning/wiper controls. i just cant figure out how to get the ignition switch off.

Last edited by dbragg; 03-02-05 at 10:52 AM.
Old 03-02-05, 11:36 AM
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you have to use a hammer and a chisle...and make some pretty deep marks in the two bolts that are holding it up. They need to be big enough to get a flathead screwdriver in. this is a major pain in the *** to do.
Old 03-02-05, 11:42 AM
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dont use a hammer and chisle, use the cutting disc on your dremel and make cuts like slotted screw heads, way eassier than chisling and easier to reinstall. use to chisle them but since i used my dremal ive thrown the chisle in the trash. takes 30 sec. to do them both.
Old 03-02-05, 11:54 AM
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i dont have the lugury of a drummel...though often times i wish i did.
Old 03-02-05, 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by 82tougemonster
i dont have the lugury of a drummel...though often times i wish i did.
you should buy one then, i think they are only like 45 bucks or something now. great for cleaning, cutting, and even porting.
Old 03-02-05, 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by 82tougemonster
you have to use a hammer and a chisle...and make some pretty deep marks in the two bolts that are holding it up. They need to be big enough to get a flathead screwdriver in. this is a major pain in the *** to do.
Have you actually used that method? It seems like it would be very difficult to actually pound a groove in the top of the bolt heads.

Here is how I have done it when no Dremel was available: Unbolt the steering column so that it drops down a couple inches, then wedge something on top to hold it steady in place. Now, using a hammer and chisel, hammer at the outside of the bold heads in order to turn them in a counter-clockwise direction. Hold the chisel with vise grips, and orient the blade of the chisel more or less in the same direction/plane as the body of the bolt. Hammer on the outside edges of the bolt head in a manner to pivot the bolt around its central axis. It might be helpful to initially chisel more towards the center, and create a small notch on the outside of the head which you can use to hammer against. When the bolts start to turn, you can grab them with a vice grips and unscrew them the rest of the way out. It is a little tedious, but not quite a major pain. On the other hand, Dremels are not that expensive and how can you live without one?
Old 03-02-05, 01:07 PM
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This one is easy. Just drop down the steering column and pull it out. The column part that attaches the ignition switch will slide off the actual column. Then, you can work on as described above with alot more ease and room available. Also make sure you take the steering wheel off (just in case its not already).
Old 03-02-05, 10:58 PM
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a dremel-like tool is available thru Harbor Freight tools for 10 to 12 bucks, and yes, it is the best way to get the ignition off
Old 03-02-05, 11:07 PM
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I just did this a week ago, but i used an air die grinder with a cutting disc to make the slots. The screws are not on there very tight...I bet you could use visegrips and clamp on them to turn them.
Old 03-03-05, 02:06 AM
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well i took the two bolts off to drop the steering column down and used a wrench to take the bolts out of top of the ignition switch ........fairly easy and i dont quite understand why everyone thinks you have to use a chisel...or dremel...or anything like that or notch anything i think they are like 12 or 13 mm's something like that.....theres only two of them and you cant miss em
Old 03-03-05, 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by superslydr
well i took the two bolts off to drop the steering column down and used a wrench to take the bolts out of top of the ignition switch ........fairly easy and i dont quite understand why everyone thinks you have to use a chisel...or dremel...or anything like that or notch anything i think they are like 12 or 13 mm's something like that.....theres only two of them and you cant miss em
Are you the original owner of the car? The ignition originally used two round headed bolts which cannot be gripped with a wrench. If you have hex head bolts holding the ignition, someone has previously removed the original bolts and replaced them with hex heads. They are often too tight to remove with vice grips alone but it is worth trying.
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