98 323i steering wheel locked wont move help please

[dianar510]

So my wheel is locked and i have tried everything. The wheel wont turn at all and the key used to turn and ignition start but wheel locked up and wont unlock.

so i tried the diy fix (drill out locking spring) and that made it worse. now the key wont even turn.

worst of all im parked in a metered spot and the car wont move. i live in an urban area with no parking space of my own....

is it time to tow to mechanic or is there a better diy fix?

[e30oe21]

Did you get the proper parts out when you drilled the hole? Mine did the same thing and the drilling trick fixed mine.

[328 Power 04]

After drilling and removing the spring, you have to wiggle the steering wheel/hit it, to make sure the lock pin falls back down. It can get wedged in there with the pressure.

[bmwdirtracer]

Wow, really?

Personally, I'd remove and replace the steering/ignition lock housing and the lock cylinder, with new shear bolts.

[328 Power 04]

Yep, a common-ish E36 problem, that added a very dangerous "feature" to the steering wheel, while driving. Many of the E36 racecar guys disable the steering lock mechanism by drilling the bottom in a specific location and removing the spring that holds the steering lock pin up.

My (track duty mostly) 328is had it happen while driving on regular streets. The steering locks and gets very scary when you can't do anything. Steering lock disabled. Never again.

[shadowpuck]

abel - while i'm thinking about it since you are in houston - come on up to tulsa for our driving school in october! hallett motor racing circuit - let me know if you want more details.

also, admittedly, i haven't noticed or read about this issue with e36 steering....i'd be interested in hearing more details on this issue....

[328 Power 04]

That sounds awesome! I may try to fit into my plans.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post10400851 some pictures of steering lock disabling (only have to drill 1 hole, the centered one). Not recommended for every car, but it sure gets dangerous when it does lock on its own while driving. It's happened to a few others, upon google searches.
When it happened first to my E36, my wife was driving it, so naturally I blamed her.