Have a 89 T2 and was fixing the upper and lower plastics with new pieces when I noticed something off. Where i put my key in was rotated way to far up and i couldnt get the key in with the wheel up all the way up or put the lower plastic on. So I looked at the ignition switch brace that secures it to the steering shaft and it looks like it has 2 bolts (12mm) up on top. Since Im pretty sure that most fc3s have the bolts flat into the bracket im guessing its been replaced at some point? I

Is it just as simple as loosening these two bolts and rotating? I honestly dont see how he got the bolts in there as there is no room for a socket.

 

Sorry I dont have an actual picture of doing it. looks like youre right though.

 

Thanks for the pic. The bolts seem to be recessed so getting a wrench on them will be next to impossible....

 

The whole column is attached to the dash with 2 14mm(?) nuts under the steering column.Then another 2 at the firewall.
NOW,I am telling you this so IF you can't get at the ignition bolts,then you can drop the column a bit to get at them.

The "bolts" ,From Factory,are usually rounded headed "security bolts" that have NO head at all(that is no specific shape,just a "blob of rounded metal" for a head).Your previous owner must have switched them out.,

Worst case scenario is you can hit the side of the "bolt" and turn it by using a chisel,OR dremel a slot and turn the head of the bolt into a big Screw and use a screwdriver to get the Bolt out.

 

Exactly. Thank you for clarifying what I was trying to say. These bolts have heads looks to be 12-14mm on top of the steering colums under the top cover. The way i figure it is that if he can get them on I should be able to get them off. I swear I fix one thing and find something else in the process. LOL. MAkes me glad that I waited to get older before buying another 7 with better income lol. Broke my bottom plastic piece so now i gotta call MAzdatrix again. Thank you for your input.

 

I'd just put up a WTB in the SEC Gen Classifieds section for your Surround.
I swear someone is getting pretty rich off these NEW parts..

..and If you get that new part,all the other old parts will feel inadequate,.and then break on you,..so you will have to replace those too..(chuckle!)

 

Man you aint lying. Im scared to touch anything for frear of hearing it crack. I really want to restore the interior as its in really gd condition. I have the funds now to make a nice Fc but i have to keep some back for paint and the rear diffuser i ordered from shine. HOw in the hell do you NOT put the ignition switch back on correctly?

 

Dunno if you were serious on that question but anyways it iskind of screwproof to do..the locking mechanism will fit in the slot of the steering shaft,then you just put the top bracket on and tighten the assembly,connect the wires and done.

 

THis guy angled it up tward the instrument cluster so when i was trying to fit the lower cover back on it the hole couldnt reach the igniton. Oh well I get off in a few minutes gonna go home and try and resolve the issue.

 

..Uh,..what was that????

I was lookin at your avatar again..lol!

 

Had that thing for years.....LOL now im old and wrk on 7's lol. The glory days......

 

I'm old too..but not DEAD..lol!

 

Got the bolts out. Going to the store tomorrow and find same bolt with a screw driver slot to make install a lot easier. Also was able to repair the old lower column with epoxy lol. All in all it went pretty well.

 

The thread on those bolts are a common thread for other bolts used on the car.
So if you have some spare parts,start sifting through them.You may score a couple.

 

Since its been awhile since my last 7 I dont have any spare anything. I havent had time to accumulate anything lol.

I was stoked they came off pretty easily, thought i was in for a war.