• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

Ignition switch / steering lock replacement in a '78 midget

old sub sailor

Freshman Member
Country flag
Offline
Hi all - I've very recently waded into the British car hobby by buying a '78 Midget. It's a solid, fun driver but, as expected, there's a few things that need some attention.

I quickly found that it's VERY difficult to remove the ignition key. Once it's in it works as expected but it's even MORE difficult to reinsert the key. Based on my experience with some other vintage cars I suspect the lock is worn out. If you think that's not the case, please tell me.

I see that Moss Motors lists a whole steering lock and switch assembly (p/n 263-640). Has anyone here install one of these? If so, how big of a chore is it?

I'm building up a reference library for this car, I got the Haynes manual with it and have ordered a reprint of the 1500 Workshop manual, so, I'm just starting to climb the learning curve for this car.

TIA for any replies.
 

JPSmit

Moderator
Staff member
Silver
Country flag
Offline
Ignition switch is not at all difficult to change - If I recall correctly the unit is held on with shear off bolts - I think they will need to be drilled out but can easily be replaced with bolts. After that easy peasy. Oh and to get the cover off the steering column you will need to undo the bolts under the steering column and lower the column - this can be done this way but I have also loosened the bolts that attach the steering column to the firewall (undone from the engine side)
 

zabond

Member
Country flag
Offline
or you could try Graphite Powder, comes in a puffer bottle, works magic on locks & other places where you need dry lube like window felt runners

Russ
 

bobhustead

Senior Member
Gold
Country flag
Offline
When I was a BMC line mech, we would use a small chisel corner to engage the flat top of the bolts and tap with a hammer. I don't know (recall) whether there is room to use a drill on those bolts. Our method did not require dropping the column.
Bob
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
C Mounting ignition switch to XKE series 2 steering column? Jaguar 4
Monark192 Ignition Switch / Steering Lock Removal Question Spridgets 1
R Bugeye ignition switch Spridgets 2
R Wanted Bugeye ignition switch Spridgets Classified 2
M Which wires fit which terminals on my Rover V8 ignition switch? Rover / Land Rover 6
R Electrical Experts - Vixen 2500 - Ignition Switch Observation? TVR 10
SherpaPilot TR6 Ignition Switch Question Triumph 13
P TR2/3/3A ignition switch smoking Triumph 12
C TR6 Ignition Switch for 1972 TR6 Triumph 1
J TR2/3/3A Early Lucas Ignition Switch Triumph 4
jlaird MGB ignition switch MG 2
H MGB 1980 mgb no power from ignition switch MG 23
longbridgehealey Bugeye ignition switch Spridgets 4
G Inertia Cut-Off Switch - E-Fuel Pump to Ignition [Key] Switch Austin Healey 3
WJKB-TR6 TR6 Ignition Switch-73TR6 Triumph 5
S 58 Bugeye Ignition/Light Switch Spridgets 1
S 58 Bugeye Ignition/Light Switch FORUM Navigation Questions 4
S BJ8 Ignition Switch - Lucas Part Number? Austin Healey 4
L TR6 1974 Tr6 ignition switch Triumph 3
TRMark T-Series Lever ignition light switch / pull starter switch MG 8
S TR2/3/3A those 3 white wires onto the ignition switch Triumph 3
A bugeye ignition switch Spridgets 2
A Bugeye ignition switch Austin Healey 3
K TR2/3/3A Starter,Solenoid, Ignition Switch Issue? Triumph 5
S TR4/4A Ignition switch key position Triumph 2
J ignition switch, On but no starter at all times British Motor Corp 2
Crankshaft TR2/3/3A Intermittent ignition switch problem Triumph 9
S BJ8 Ignition switch? Austin Healey 7
AngliaGT Ignition switch/Wiring Diagrahm..... Spridgets 0
AngliaGT Midget MKIII Ignition Switch Spridgets 0
J Fan Type Noise on Ignition Switch in Accessory Austin Healey 9
rjc157 ignition switch Austin Healey 5
RedTR3 TR2/3/3A Ignition Switch Triumph 4
Gliderman8 TR6 Installing new ignition switch Triumph 7
RickB I was wrong. Again. Not ignition switch! Spridgets 16
longbridgehealey New Bugeye ignition switch question Spridgets 10
longbridgehealey Bugeye ignition and light switch Spridgets 9
Rut Bugeye light-ignition switch Spridgets 6
H Ignition Switch Bypass Help - '61 Bugeye Austin Healey 6
G T-Series Ignition switch MG 10
B ignition switch Spridgets 5
M TR4/4A TR4A Ignition Switch Circuit Triumph 3
G T-Series Tachometer and ignition switch MG 16
T Ignition switch Triumph 6
D T-Series Access to ignition switch '68 MGB MG 9
BugeyeNJ58 Need new ignition switch..Suggestions? Spridgets 3
V Removing ignition switch assembly. Spridgets 2
BugeyeNJ58 Ignition Switch and key Cylinder comes apart! Spridgets 0
72_TR6_Oceanside Ignition switch wiring order help Triumph 16
O TR6 1971 TR6 Ignition Switch Swap Triumph 1

Similar threads

Top