I am trying to put in a better steering box for my FB... however, I am stuck at the step when it comes to the steering lock... I found this site... http://www.mazspeed.com/steeringwheellockremoval.htm but I have a question... will I still be able to use the key later on? I don't care if I have the lock or not, I just want to know if I can still use the key I been using or is it going to damage anything else?

Or...

How else can I remove it? https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=362614&highlight=remove+steering+ lock I came along with this but I couldn't fit anything into there to reach the round bolt, the work area is just way too tight and tiny.

I tried to hammer it with a flat head and it wouldn't move... I need some tips or advice on how to remove the steering lock, thank you.

 

without reading that crap, I will give you a summary.

1. Remove the steering panel.
2. Remove the vent below the dash facing the floor
3. Unbolt the steering colum from the dash 2 12mm bolts. then lean on the steering wheel to gain more space
4. Using a small chisel, tap the headless bolts counter clockwise

 

I guess I just have to go get a chisel and work it out slower, thanks Wacky.

I have done everything you mentioned except the last step.

 

Does anyone know any other way to do this??

 

Take a dremel tool and cut a slot in the head for a straight screwdriver. Then you can take it apart later if needed

 

that's the way to do it you gota lean on the colum a little to get a drimel in there but its not that hard make sure you take the cover in front of the gauges off so you dont bust it.

 

I grabbed the headless bolts with a pair of needle nosed pliers and some vice grips...

When you order new bolts, they'll have a head on top of the round head... When you tighten them down, the head will snap off. (I've not done this. This is per the FSM.)

 

Never tried breaking the wheel, so dunno.

For the round head bolts, I drilled a hole (using lefthand a drill bit) and used a screw extractor bit on mine. Then, I used a dremel grinding disk to cut a slot in them for future removal. When I got the first one out, I managed to get the second loose enough to not have to drill it for removal. This was on my 80, a couple of these tips sound specific to S3s such as removing the gauge cover(???). On mine the screws point downward, so I don't see why that'd be a problem. If, like budrud suggested, you can get a dremel bit up there to slot it, do it that way.

Burdrud, what dremel bit?

 

I used the grinding disk on the screw arbor, it takes a couple passes to get it wide enough but worked well. Mine went the same as innertwist, once I got one loose the other one came out easy and I could slot it on the bench.

 

When I took mine out I just hit a flat chisel into the headless studs to put a groove in them and removed them with a flathead. Then grinded off the key that spings up into the steering column to lock it.

 

i drilled mine out. i forget its position but you can drill straight up through a part of the casting and the spring+lock come out. no they cant be reinstalled but having the lock disabled was required for a certain kind of racing.

 

Just pull the whole lock assembly and set it aside, then start the car with pushbutton and toggle switches.

 

I have a question though... once I have it removed... can I move it back on and work as it was never taken off before?

Do I just screw it back in with a flathead through the groove that I used the chisel with?

 

You can, but it easier to take the screws to the hardware store and buy new ones that have a slot or phillips head.

 

Yes it will work just as it did before. The bolts are headless for theft prevention.

Get socket head screws, also known as Allen head. I think they are metric
8mm x 1.25 thread.

 

Thank you, guys. You guys are awesome.

I will be back IF I have any confusion.

 

I got those 2 bolts off! I used a chisel and just knocked it counter clockwise. Thanks for all the advices.

I am almost done with this!