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DrEntropy

DrEntropy

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...a day of installing WiFi routers and a DVR system. Instead I got a call froma friend who said he couldn't turn the key in his Jeep thingie. Cherokee. Locked solid in the garage.


I now know how to disassemble a steering/ignition lock assembly in a Jeep.


I'm sooo proud. :smirk:
 
BFH? :devilgrin:

Assuming re-assembly not required.... :jester:
 
Truthfully, James, THAT was wot got th' key to turn so's we could pull the offending barrel outta th' column.


We got off with around $150 for th' whole affair. :gasp:


I think I fixed an ignition issue with an MGB ('65) back in the early '70's with a PAPERCLIP and some GUM. Less than a dollar then.

I'll keep pedalin' my antiques around.
 
Every time I think the wheel on the Civic is locked I find the prob is too much turn pressure, & relief allows the key to work just fine. But, has the blood flowing more quickly for those moments prior to it coming free.
 
And so the friend thought in this case. Not so. The actual lock barrel was craminated (like th' technical terminology? :smile: ) in this instance. With the front-end in the air and vigorously rattling the wheel against the locking wedge it REFUSED to allow us to turn the key. With him putting slight torque on the key I whacked it on the tumbler housing from below (think "bump key" method) and it finally turned to a position to allow us to remove the barrel assembly for replacement.

As a point of interest we asked what the Chrysler shop would charge for time and how long it would take... "Couple hours' labor, two or three day turnaround."

That'd work out to another $150 and days without a car or rental fees.

"Modern" vehicles... I consider it insane. Or at least impractical.
 
Hey, just be glad it's not the Neon. Some years Neons you gotta replace the whole s******ng steering column.

Love modern Detroit engineering. Remember when a Ford torque convertor bushing was available for around 5 bucks. Not anymore, need to buy the whole friggin torque convertor, hundreds... ad nauseum... And they wonder why Toyota, and others, are selling more cars......
 
Not new, Ron. I was selling Lotus, Alfa and AMC (yes, even Pacers...it kept th' doors open.) cars in th' late '70's. AMC sales rep would come in whining over Japan having a 7% market share. I asked him if he wanted to know why... he bit, so I said: "Here! lie down on yer back and have a look at that suspension under YOUR car... now come over and do th' same with this used Toyota Traded on an Alfa Berlina). YOUR suspension is right outta 1926. Until Detroit understands the SKIN isn't the most important part, your job is in jeopardy.


He never came in again whining over "market share".
 
And Detroit STILL hasen't figured out how to build a decent small car. they always "sublet" those to forign companies. Yes we need trucks, yes some people need big cars, but the vast majority of us just need small, fuel efficient, utilitarian vehicles. Get past the "toaster" looks of our Scion XB and it is one of the most practical vehicles I've ever owned. great handling, mid 30s MPG, cheaper maintenance, Tons of passenger room front and back (and I'm 6'1") great visibility, and some of my older friends/ family with back and knee troubles remark on how easy it is to get in and out.
But even Toyota was blind to it. They were trying to hit the youth market, and when they saw older folks buying up the XBs as fast as the dealers could get them in, they re-designed it to appeal to the younger crowds.
America dosent need bigger piggier cars on its roads. I can't stand folks who rant on the fuel crisis, then use thier Suburban as thier commuter car for just one person.
it's not the 50s any more. Those were glory days, but they're gone.
The big 3 gotta wake up. like Doc siad, the imports have historically been light years ahead of the domestics in thier average car technology. If we wanna stay ahead, we gotta stop building dinosaurs!
 
Another habit that many people seem unwilling to break is to have these behemoths sitting with the engine running while they are parked at the grocery store or similar, obviously waiting for someone to come out. In nice weather!
 
Gotta keep that AirCon runnin' Steve!!! "Mum" can then waddle out to th' chariot an' be haul'd back to th' house without whinin' over bein' <span style="font-style: italic">too hot</span> th' first ten minutes of th' drive... :devilgrin:
 
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