Hello, the steering wheel of my truck locks itself when fuel ceases to the engine.
I've had some other issues with my truck and I don't want to lose control of steering because my truck dies.
I will be opening up the steering column anyway to replace the lock cylinder, so if there is a way to remove this locking function I would be greatly interested.

Thank you

 

Welcome to FTE

Let me guess you have power steering on the truck?
Harder to guess what year, model and 4x2 or 4x4 and size tires?

My guess the steering is not locking, unless you turned the key back to lock but if an auto it has to be in park first so you are stopped and no need to turn the wheel.
When the motor is not running you no longer have power steering and why it is hard to turn.
You then have "Arm Strong Steering" and you need to put your arms to work to steer it till the motor runs again.

I have not had a Ford wheel off but guessing it is like others and there is a pin that when the key is turned off should pop up between fingers in a plate that is held to the steering shaft with a "C" wire clip. Remove this clip and pull the plate off and no more locking wheel.
But again if motor is not running it will take arm power to turn the wheel.

Next question should be how do I keep the motor from stalling?
Again we need more information about the truck and when this happens.
Shortly after start up but not up to temp or up to temp when coming to a stop, etc.
Dave ----

 

Yes, the steering column only locks if you turn the key to off.

 

Excellent detective work there, Dave. I was scratching my head wondering how the steering could "lock" when the engine quit.

The mechanical steering lock, actuated by rotating the key all the way to the LOCK position, is going to feel similar to a loss of power steering, but there is a moderate difference. You can compare the two scenarios from the comfort and safety of your driveway.

1) Key out of the ignition, try to turn the steering wheel. The wheel should be mechanically locked, and will only move an inch or so at most. You will feel it hit a hard stop at each end of travel, plus hear a light clunk from inside the steering column. Sometimes the wheel isn't lined up with the locking mechanism, and may move a few inches if you put some muscle into it. But it should reach a point where the mechanical lock engages, and then limit travel to about an inch.

2) Key in the ignition, and rotated to the RUN position but without starting the engine. This is the same as if driving and the engine died, also killing the power assist for steering. The steering wheel will be very hard to turn, but will move if you try hard. It should never lock, as described in scenario #1 above.

 

Now as I said if auto it can only go to lock if in park.
You can also test this from the safety of your driveway.
Set parking brake and / or chock wheels so it will not roll.
turn the key to run but do not start it. put the truck in any gear.
Now turn the key to lock it should not go unless you have a manual transmission.

The other think you have to watch out of is heavy key chains.
Mos of the time guy dont have this issue but the women folk like to have all kinds of things on their key chain.
It has been know the weight of the keys will turn the key assy. off say after you hit a bump.
Just something to think about if the motor keeps shutting off when you hit a ruff road.
Dave ----

 

i have to agree w the others and reaffirm the locking of the steering wheel is a mechanical mechanism in the steering column controlled by the turning of the key / tumbler.

ifnyiu have power steering, the pump only turns when the motor is running, therefore the power steering goes away when engine quits. if your moving at a good clip, the turning will be easier, if your slow rolling in a parking lot, your gonna have popeye forearms.

 

Is this steering "locking" possibly a faulty steering box? Can't see it being a column issue, but possibly the Armstrong effort when the pump stops may be stiffer than normal?

Anyways, be thankful you don't have a newer truck with the electric assist power steering. Those things truly do lock when they fail. (Voice of experience here).

 

If that is the case I cant see how the gov. let it be used as there has to be a way to steer the car / truck if there is not power.
Even power brakes have 2 or 3 pumps before you are out of vacuum but you still have brakes and just need to stand on the pedal.
Dave ----

 

To clarify, this is a 4-speed manual.

And I want to confirm the steering wheel completely locks. I have had power steering go out and know the difference, it is not just difficult to steer, it is locked. What specifically has happened when my truck has died for whatever reason is:
1. fuel to engine stops (e.g. because carb bogged to death or rear fuel tank failed to feed fuel)
2. engine runs out of fuel and shuts off
3. loss of power steering
4. after turning steering wheel more than an inch or two there is an audible 'click' and steering wheel is completely locked

I will look for this clip/plate when I've got the steering wheel disassembled....

The key in the ignition cylinder doesnt automatically turn back counterclockwise after starting the vehicle, has to be done manually to get accessories like dash light and windshield wipers to function. Maybe that is related to this oddity of steering wheel locking even in the on/accessory position.

 

Having to turn the key back manually to make things work is a very common problem with these trucks. Some wd40 in the column and a new ignition switch usually fixes it. Not the ignition cylinder but the ignition electrical switch.

 

Aha, yes I've seen some videos of disassembly and the inside of the column gets very gunked up, is there something needed to dissolve and clean off the old grease or is some fresh WD40 sufficient perhaps? I will get an ignition switch ordered too.

 

On some steering boxes there is a way to adjust the play between the steering gears. I have heard it said that doing that can sometimes lock up the steering. You might not notice it as much with the power steering assisting but when the engine stops that reduced clearance along with Armstrong steering might lock it and you might even hear a clicking with the engine stalled out.

 

Not trying to bust your behind, but how do you know fuel is not reaching the engine? Since there seems to be something funky with the ignition switch, my hunch is the engine is quitting due to the ignition shutting off, versus a lack of fuel.


Hmm, this is a strange one. Working from potentially faulty memory, when the I turn off the engine, I turn the key one click from RUN to OFF. The steering wheel is still free in OFF. To remove the key, I turn it one more click to LOCK and then the key comes out and the wheel is obviously locked.

I’m wondering if the monkey motion between the key cylinder and ignition switch is out of adjustment or damaged. Maybe the switch is electrically in the RUN position while the key is physically in the OFF position. If the key or linkage moved slightly while driving, it could kill ignition and lock the steering wheel simultaneously.

The OFF position is supposed to still allow the wheel to turn if you had to shut off the engine while in motion, such as if the throttle stuck wide open. Seems like something is way out of adjustment.

 

More details about adjusting the ignition switch here:

https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/ignition.html

Click on the "ignition switch" tab and scroll down.

 

When I was reading his last post I was thinking the vary same thing.
I think he need to get the key / IGN working like the factory made it before going in too deep.

wonder if he has a tilt wheel?
Dave ----