Archived Stuck steering wheel!!!

[M1AM14SPUR]

I am stuck on the side of a big hill. I went to start the truck, I gave the wheel a litle pull to turn the key, Truck started but the steering wheel is locked. Anyone have any magic spells for this one? Thanks again ya'll!
Eric

 

[Ron Bissett]

step on brake push in clutch shake hard on the wheel ,most times its the wight of the truck on the wheels ,this can happen when parked on flat lot and up agins a stop block . Let us know how you make out. Ron .

 

[M1AM14SPUR]

step on brake push in clutch shake hard on the wheel ,most times its the wight of the truck on the wheels ,this can happen when parked on flat lot and up agins a stop block . Let us know how you make out. Ron .

Thanks for the reply Ron. In the situation that you described, would I be able to start the truck if this was happening? I turned the key and started her up and the wheel was still locked.

Eric

 

[Ron Bissett]

It is possible some times to start the truck ,but the weight is on the wheels frong load if possible to put in reverse with caution just to rock the truck and free the wheels ,the hill must be verry steep play it safe is the parking brake on ? Keep in mind the foot brake and cluch too . Push comes to shove call for help . Do you have the travel com. in your truck You may just need some one to pull back slightly to un stick it . Hope this helps any other members have any ideas? Ron

 

[Missouri Mule]

Are you facing uphill or down? Are the wheels turned into the curb,away from curb, straight?



I haven't heard of the steering wheel being locked and being able to trun key.



Try going backwards or forward to unlock wheels if wheels are turned into curve.

 

[M1AM14SPUR]

I am facing downhill in the woods. There isn't anything under my front tires except leaves. I have rocked it back and forth, jiggled the key 2. 4 million different directions, yelled, cussed, cried and came close to shooting it.

I don't know what kind of animal lives in the key switch to lock the steering wheel, but it has to be the culprit. Any of ya'll know about this area?

 

[Matt400]

Curious. . when you try and move the wheel with the engine running, do you:

A) feel a metallic "clink" type of sound & feel from the steering wheel as if a screw driver is jammed in there or

B) feel like the wheels are stuck like in a ditch, just cant turn it like zero power assist?

 

[Missouri Mule]

From 96 FSM "difficult to turn wheel, sticks or binds " possible problems Steering components, pump flow control valve, column coupler binding.



Hopefully you have an extensive tool box with you for this. As per 96 FSM ignition swtich has "Column lock flag" and "Park lock dowel pin".



Ignition switch and key cylinder removal.

1. disconnect negative battery cables form battery.

2. If you have tilt steering remove tilt lever by turning it counterclockwise.

3. Remove upper and lower covers from steering column.

4. Remove ignition switch mounting screws ( tamper proof torx bit).

5. Gently pull switch away from column.

Things could be different from here on but you will need to disconnect the connector.



Column lock flag and park lock dowel pin must be properly indexed.

Place trans in park.

Place ignition switch in lock position. the switch is in lock positon when the column lock flag is parallel to igniton switch terminals.

Position Park lock dowel pin so it will engage steering column park lock slider linkage.

Hope this will shed some light on things but I have a feeling you are going to have to be towed out.

 

[DFerverda]

I guess i would put a cable around a tree and let the truck forward, till it is tight against the cable and can't go any further, set the e brake and jack up the front of the truck, to see where the problem is.
Dirk

 

[M1AM14SPUR]

Howdy guys,

Sorry it took so long to reply. I ended up taking all the plastic off the steering column and around the bottom of the lock mechanism, i removed a few torx screws and there was a small cast piece of metal that fell out. It was the lock doo-dad for the steering wheel. I just left it out, put it back together and all was fine. Thanks again for helping out. I would have ya'll over for some deer steak if you were close to me!!