Steering Wheel Lock Removal

[djawahir]

So, I posted a while ago about removing the security feature of the steering wheel lock mechanism. All I got for my question was a bunch of crickets chirping. So, I'm assuming that I'm the first knucklehead to remove this feature so that my FJ60 would be easier to steal.

Here goes. I hope this thread helps someone...anyone.

 

[djawahir]

Disconnect the battery.

Remove the steering wheel. Remove the center cap and have a 19mm socket wrench ready.

Sorry, no pictures of this. But if desired, I can upload a 30 minute video of me unbolting this in slow motion...

 

[djawahir]

Remove the plastic steering shaft cover. Phillips head. 6 screws (2 machine screws).

 

[djawahir]

Then remove the turn signal module. There are 4 screws to do this. After removing the screws, you have to disconnect the blue connectors and remove the zip ties to get enough leeway to pull the housing off the steering shaft.

All of the red arrows show you the screws that need to be removed.

(If you want to remove the annoying key in ignition buzzer thingamadoo, it's shown in the 2nd pic below.)

 

[djawahir]

Now that you got the turn signal module off, look at how long your shaft is!

Removing the key cylinder requires you to put the key in and turn it to ACC. Then press the magic button and pull cylinder out.

(The red arrows just show you where the turn signal module screws go...)

 

[djawahir]

Now, Mr. Toyota tried to make things difficult for us here. There are 3 M6 bolts that hold the ignition housing onto the bracket. But, one of them has been shaved into a conehead for tamper resistance.

For me, I was able to dremel a slot and use a flathead screwdriver to get it out. You may have a wiser, more useful brain than I. The red arrows show where the bolts are located.

But before you do this, there's an L-bracket (2 M6 bolts) that needs to be removed to provide you better access to the bottom area. (It's not shown in the picture. Geez, do I have to do everything for you?)

(I used paper towel to reduce the amount of metal shaving spray into my cabin.)

 

[djawahir]

After removing the 3 screws, I removed the ignition switch screw and popped out the ignition module. Then I pulled out the ignition housing.

 

[djawahir]

If you're looking to replace the steering bearings, now would be a good time. I spent a good part of an afternoon trying to figure out what the heck was in there and part #'s etc. So, I'm posting them here for everyone:

Top bearing - Toy #: 90363-18001 - (NSK 18BSC01) (ID=18.7mm, OD=40mm, Thickness=10mm)
Center bearing - Toy #: 90363-28001 - (NSK 28BSC01) (ID=28.5mm, OD=43mm, Thickness=11mm)

There's also a third bearing that was listed, but I don't know where that one is, maybe on the firewall? That part # is 90363-30007.

 

[djawahir]

After pulling the ignition housing off the steering shaft, you can see the steering wheel lock grooves. There's one on the top and one on the bottom of the steering shaft. Since I don't have a 360 degree camera, you only get to see one groove at a time.

 

[djawahir]

If you look inside the ignition housing, you will see the little pin that sits in the groove (shown previously) to provide you the security of the wheel locking mechanism! Thanks Mr. Toyota!

 

[djawahir]

So, here's where we can skin the cat 100 different ways. Since I am all about redundancy, I cut off the wheel locking pin with a dremel. Then, to make sure that it wouldn't rise up on the freeway one day 15 years from now and drive me into a tree, I pressed the remaining portion of the pin down into the housing and cold welded it in place.

Yes, it's overkill, but I'd rather not spend the rest of my years wondering if I put equal amounts of cold weld into the area or if I stirred the mixture enough to set it right.

 

[djawahir]

Look! No more steering wheel locking pin!

 

[djawahir]

Now if you want to see what the ignition housing looks like, here you go.

 

[djawahir]

Now, if you're asking me why the heck would I want to remove a security feature of my FJ60, I'll tell you. My keys are worn and most of the cylinders are sticky or will accept any thing remotely looking like a key (or screwdriver). Replacing the cylinders and rekeying would cost me as much money as.....

adding a push button start system!

So, if I remove the steering wheel lock mechanism, I don't need the ignition key anymore. I'm keyless for all my doors right now, so after my ignition module spring broke (and subsequently stayed in the crank position and burned my starter) I figured it was time to spend the money on upgrading rather than replacing. I am soon to leave keys behind and enter the 21st century!

Stay tuned for my keyless FJ60 thread!

 

[Gadjeep]

Ok. You now have my attention! Seemed like a ton of work for very little return until toy mentioned the keyless ignition part of the program.

Sub-scribed!

 

[klinetime574]

Very nice work. If I ever need to open mine up I will be less intimidated. Thank you sir!

 

[djawahir]

It wasn't as hard as I thought. The shaved bolt and the cutting of the wheel locking pin were the two most time consuming parts.

Gadjeep, the strange thing is that I've seached a ton of forums on the internet and couldn't find diddly on removing the steering wheel locking mechanism. So, this thread can hopefully help a lot of other Toyota owners get rid of theirs.

A lot of the "push-button start systems" out there want you to break off your key in the ignition so that this steering wheel locking security stays disabled. But, that's pretty lame. And besides, someone could just turn the broken key and possibly start the vehicle anyhow (unless properly rewired). Or steal your key segment and have a real key made and come back a bit more prepared.

 

[rolladude1166]

Believe it or not I'm having this problem right now! Does the key cylinder have to be out to remove the steering lock mechanism?

 

[freebornyota]

Hey everyone, I'm not new to the forum, but this is the first time that the search function hasn't done much for me.

djawahir, you posted a pic of what I have been searching for for days. What you called the Internal Ignition Pin. Does anyone know if this pin is that same for 40 series, and maybe the part number too??

I had to drill my cylinder and smash it out with a hammer, thus destroying this pin mechanism as well (don't ask! damn PO). Any help in sourcing one would save me going to a machine shop to re-invent it. Sorry for the hi-jack. Thanks.

 

[djawahir]

I'm not sure that you can find the internal ignition pin separately as a part number. I'd say check the classifieds and see if you can find the parts you need from a junked 40.