How to disable steering wheel lock?

[JoshS]

See the attached photo. The hole on the bottom was the first one I drilled based on this thread, but there was no spring there. The hole in the center was the second hole I drilled, as an exploration. It wasn't perfectly centered on the spring, but I could get it out from there. You can see the little nub that centers the spring in this photo.

Sorry, but I took this photo after I put the trim back on. Hopefully it's helpful anyway.

[Fair]

As in JoshS' disable, I ran into some trouble on an E36. By following this mod as suggested ("drill at red box") it temporarily disabled the steering lock, but soon after the spring (that never came out, apparently) jammed into the ignition lock mechanism and caused problems. This spring both prevented the key from working as well as re-engaged the steering lock at random times.

After drilling another hole (as shown below) I was able to finally dislodge the spring, then remove it with some needle nose pliers through the original hole I drilled. Once removed, all of the problems went away. Key turns, steering lock is now gone for good.

MAKE SURE THAT THE SPRING IS REMOVED and there should be no issues with this modification.

A little more picture info (and better pics with our Nikon D50 SLR), with some step by step...


The car in question, a '92 325is gutted for track use. Note: the red connector at the end of the ignition switch


Step 1: After drilling in the suggested location, the spring was jammed


Step 2: Per JoshS' picture, a 2nd hole was planned. Center punch...


Step 3: ... then drill another hole


Step 4: "There it is!" 2nd hole dislodged the spring. Remove the spring completely.


Its a squirrely bugger...

[JClark]

Is the drill bit in danger of hitting anything else in there? I haven't done this yet because I'm afraid to just drill in at the latest recommended spot and screw something up.

[JulianK8Z]

Wow, just did this on the racecar, and I can't believe how easy it was. As described, the spring was right under the hole. It didn't fall out because my drill bit locked up at the end and left a little bit of metal that kept the spring in place. Came right out with some needle nose. Thanks for posting a great write up!

[Fair]

Is the drill bit in danger of hitting anything else in there? I haven't done this yet because I'm afraid to just drill in at the latest recommended spot and screw something up.

Not a danger, no. There's a big air gap before your drill bit would get into more metal then more "guts" behind that.

No worries - drill away!

[cosM3os]

So I have my hole drilled, but I don't see any spring. I can see the mechanism that goes up and down when the lock is engaged and released, but no spring. What gives?

[JoshS]

So I have my hole drilled, but I don't see any spring.

You drilled in the wrong place.

[cosM3os]

Yah, I'm a couple of mm off of the pic, but I can't even see it. Is it just a spring? How big?

Nevermind. Got it.

[snk328is]

Wow, old thread... And I started it, to boot. I'm glad it's still useful after all these years.

When I drilled, I never saw a spring, but the mod worked so I guess I'm good. That was also 4+ years ago.

[JoshS]

The spring is about 3/8" in diameter. On my car, it was right smack dab in the middle of the rectangular section (see pic on top of page 3 of this thread.)

[Fair]

When I drilled, I never saw a spring, but the mod worked so I guess I'm good. That was also 4+ years ago.

If you never found the spring I'd drill another hole and go fishing for it. It is still in there, somewhere...

I had the same problem when I did this the first time - drilled the hole, didn't find the spring but it disabled the lock. And "it worked" for a time, then the spring (which was still in there) eventually found its way into something rotating and got lodged in there and stuck the steering shaft. Luckily it wasn't while we were racing.

Just a warning.

[cosM3os]

The spring is about 3/8" in diameter. On my car, it was right smack dab in the middle of the rectangular section (see pic on top of page 3 of this thread.)

Yes, and it seems to be laying down perpendicular to the long dimension of the rectangle. Had to fish it out.

[snk328is]

I just assumed that I'd drilled the spring out...

Hmm, I suppose I should go on a fishing expedition then... 4 years after the fact! lol

[maxxfish]

I needed to do this to my E46 M3, and I couldn't find any info on the procedure, so I decided to just go for it. I just about cut off my finger with a grinder (had to remove the guard to get it in place), and the whole process SUCKED, but I had success. Damn, BMW really wanted to prevent people from removing the lock! Here's the deal:

1. Remove EVERYTHING in the surrounding area, including the dash, EWS ring, lock cylinder, electrical connectors, etc. Drill out the two hardened steel (yes, PITA) roll pins.

Pry off the aluminum cover.



Cut off the rest of the top cover:



Remove the large steel pin (PITA) and remove the black steering lock.



Clean all of the shavings, reassemble, and nurse all of your cuts.

[Greg S]

Errr, I think mine's gonna stay.

[HaroldC]

Wow. That is a huge PITA compared to the e36.

[CirrusSR22]

Just did it on my 318ti. So easy. I used an 11/32" bit. Thanks guys!!

[snk328is]

It would make it easier to drill in that area if you removed the steering wheel. Aside from that, everything else can stay in place.

This "mod" is only required for racing, so there's no reason why removing the steering wheel should be an issue.

[dollar]

It would make it easier to drill in that area if you removed the steering wheel. Aside from that, everything else can stay in place.

Thanks.

[dollar]

Took care of this today, thanks to all for the pics posted and the tips.

[PEI330Ci]

Just saw this thread now.

For you E46 people, it can be done a little easier than Maxxfish has described. I dug into this a while ago without any real directions as well.

- You don't need to remove the EWS ring and lock cylinder.

- Use a Titanium bit, and the first 2 lock pins come out fairly easy.
- The aluminum cover comes off by hand if the lock pins are drilled right.
- Cut the top of the aluminum cover with a grinding wheel. (I used a 4" wheel)
- The hardened pivot pin does not have to be removed, just cut the steel locking device in half next to the pin and everything comes off by hand.

The biggest PITA for most people doing this will be removing the airbag on the steering wheel...the rest of it is pretty straight forward. 1/2 hr from start to finish.

[jimcob]

Hi guys!

I had same experience with CirrusSR22. The procedure is so easy and it only took me 3 min!!

cheers!
jimcob

[Evergreen Dan]

Anyone done this to an E28, that ever-so-popular racing machine? ChumpCar requires it, and frankly it seems like a good idea.

[das borgen]

i didn't see it either when i did mine...i have two holes in my ignition lock...

no harm done, it is faster since it is lighter and i now have the desireable flow through ventilation feature!

someone please highliught the red square that needs drilled out

THANKS

[jimcob]

someone please highliught the red square that needs drilled out

THANKS

Just drill according to CirrusSR22's photos... this is exactly what I did.
When you open the whole check inside and use a small screw driver to push the spring to the whole and take it out..