How to Take Off a Steering Wheel Lock
The steering column in your car contains a lock plate that prevents the wheel from turning with the car turned off. This plate is behind the wheel within the steering shaft. If you need to remove this lock for any reason, you must reach inside the steering shaft to reach it. You need to disconnect the steering wheel from the column in order to do this. You must remove the shaft and wheel together, which makes reaching into the shaft easier. Removing the wheel was once difficult, but new tools have made it easier.
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Instructions
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Turn the wheel so the front tires face straight ahead. Disconnect the battery's negative cable to shut off power to the horn and air bag. Open the fuse box (under the hood or beneath the steering column) and remove the fuses for the air bag. Wait five minutes for the bag to depressurize.
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2
Disconnect the air bag module from the steering wheel. It should be attached by hex bolts either in the back of the wheel or on each side. The bolts are likely covered with small panels you must remove. Lift the module off the wheel. Disconnect its electrical connector and set it aside facing up.
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Remove the steering wheel and shaft from the steering column. Disconnect the emblem cover (which should contain the horn) if there was no air bag. Unplug the electrical connector to the horn. Remove the nut attaching the wheel to the shaft. Insert a steering wheel puller into the two holes at the wheel's hub and pull off the shaft.
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Insert a tool into the steering shaft (there are automotive tools designed for this) and push down on the spring-loaded within it until a wire clip appers from within a little groove in the steering shaft. Pry the wire clip out of its groove with a pick to release and remove the lock plate from the steering shaft.
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