The Ford Barn

Duke · 01-30-2024, 09:48 AM

Hi,
The ignition switch pin is broken off flush in my 32 column drop. Any tricks for removing it? The replacement looks knurled, but can it be removed by twisting, or does it need to be pulled straight out? Was thinking of drilling it out, but worry about making the hole oversized.
Thanks

glennpm · 01-30-2024, 10:16 AM

The pin has to be pulled straight out.

Terry,OH · 01-30-2024, 10:35 AM

If it is broken off at the hole and filling the hole you will have to remove the lock bolt (the part it is supposed to fit into) and the key lock cylinder. Then redrill the hole. Since you have a replacement start with a small drill and work slowly up in size. At the bottom of the hole is the spring loaded pin that locks the column so be careful with drill depth. Part of the old pin may fall out or you may be able to pick it out after drilling the small holes. I like to use Locktite retaining compound 609 on the new pin. The new pin may have to be put in place after reassembly of the lock pin.

Duke · 01-30-2024, 10:42 AM

Does it need to come apart to drill it? The rest of the mechanism works really well so I would hate to cause more problems taking it all apart. I don’t have the new pin yet, I looked at the picture on the third gen site.
Thank you

Terry,OH · 01-30-2024, 10:58 AM

Hard to drill a hole in a such a very small area and to the proper depth, with the lock pin installed plus the lock pin can rotate. With the lock pin removed the bore can be cleaned.

Duke · 01-31-2024, 12:05 AM

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I hope I got all the old pin out. I will order a new one and see if it fits.

petehoovie · 01-31-2024, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duke

I hope I got all the old pin out. I will order a new one and see if it fits.

32phil · 01-31-2024, 03:46 PM

Duke
You may want to use the search function and find my recent post concerning creating a slot in the back of the column drop to facilitate the removal of the pin.

glennpm · 01-31-2024, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 32phil

Duke
You may want to use the search function and find my recent post concerning creating a slot in the back of the column drop to facilitate the removal of the pin.

Here it is:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...=steering+lock

Glenn

Duke · 02-01-2024, 10:36 PM

Thank you 32Phil and glennpm. So far if the new pin fits when it gets here, I hope I can leave it together.

DavidG · 02-02-2024, 05:33 PM

I'm not convinced that creating a slot on the back side of the bracket is helpful or necessary. The smallest version of straight jaw Vice-Grip pliers fit around the pin with room to spare and a small-bladed screw driver then inserted pops the pins right out, at least they have for me the last dozen or so tries.

01-30-2024, 09:48 AM	#1
Duke Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vernon, BC Posts: 202	Removing broken ignition switch pin in a 32 Hi, The ignition switch pin is broken off flush in my 32 column drop. Any tricks for removing it? The replacement looks knurled, but can it be removed by twisting, or does it need to be pulled straight out? Was thinking of drilling it out, but worry about making the hole oversized. Thanks

01-30-2024, 10:16 AM	#2
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wiscasset, Maine Posts: 1,981	Re: Removing broken ignition switch pin in a 32 The pin has to be pulled straight out. __________________ Archives of historical but relevant older articles: ------------- Hover mouse over the links below and click! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--------------- Rumble Seat's Notes Techno-Source for the 1932 thru 1953 Flathead Ford

01-30-2024, 10:35 AM	#3
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: Removing broken ignition switch pin in a 32 If it is broken off at the hole and filling the hole you will have to remove the lock bolt (the part it is supposed to fit into) and the key lock cylinder. Then redrill the hole. Since you have a replacement start with a small drill and work slowly up in size. At the bottom of the hole is the spring loaded pin that locks the column so be careful with drill depth. Part of the old pin may fall out or you may be able to pick it out after drilling the small holes. I like to use Locktite retaining compound 609 on the new pin. The new pin may have to be put in place after reassembly of the lock pin.

01-30-2024, 10:42 AM	#4
Duke Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vernon, BC Posts: 202	Re: Removing broken ignition switch pin in a 32 Does it need to come apart to drill it? The rest of the mechanism works really well so I would hate to cause more problems taking it all apart. I don’t have the new pin yet, I looked at the picture on the third gen site. Thank you

01-30-2024, 10:58 AM	#5
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: Removing broken ignition switch pin in a 32 Hard to drill a hole in a such a very small area and to the proper depth, with the lock pin installed plus the lock pin can rotate. With the lock pin removed the bore can be cleaned.

01-31-2024, 03:46 PM	#8
32phil Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Montgomery, NY & Port St. Lucie Florida Posts: 936	Re: Removing broken ignition switch pin in a 32 Duke You may want to use the search function and find my recent post concerning creating a slot in the back of the column drop to facilitate the removal of the pin. __________________ Early Ford Lock & Key Service https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46583

02-01-2024, 10:36 PM	#10
Duke Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vernon, BC Posts: 202	Re: Removing broken ignition switch pin in a 32 Thank you 32Phil and glennpm. So far if the new pin fits when it gets here, I hope I can leave it together.

02-02-2024, 05:33 PM	#11
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,102	Re: Removing broken ignition switch pin in a 32 I'm not convinced that creating a slot on the back side of the bracket is helpful or necessary. The smallest version of straight jaw Vice-Grip pliers fit around the pin with room to spare and a small-bladed screw driver then inserted pops the pins right out, at least they have for me the last dozen or so tries.