Replace Ignition switch on 90

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Gary217

New Member
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26
Location
New Forest
I need to put in a new ignition switch as the one in there has stopped clicking back (I guess some spring has gone) and I've got a new unit for £26 so not bad.

Trouble is the old one is secured with two shear bolts - for obvious reasons - and Haynes helpfully says use a chisel or suitable tool to knock them. After 25 years of being there, hidden in a recessed hole...no F@~@~@g chance so got to drill them out (unless anyone has any other tips).

As drilling out the bolts becomes a bit terminal for the old switch does anyone know of real issues once I've got old one out or is the new one dead easy to replace?
 
I need to put in a new ignition switch as the one in there has stopped clicking back (I guess some spring has gone) and I've got a new unit for £26 so not bad.

Trouble is the old one is secured with two shear bolts - for obvious reasons - and Haynes helpfully says use a chisel or suitable tool to knock them. After 25 years of being there, hidden in a recessed hole...no F@~@~@g chance so got to drill them out (unless anyone has any other tips).

As drilling out the bolts becomes a bit terminal for the old switch does anyone know of real issues once I've got old one out or is the new one dead easy to replace?

The bit with the 2 sheer bolts is the ignition barrel and steering lock NOT the switch. The switch is at the opposite end of the ignition barrel from your key (the bit with all the wires going to it) and if I remember right is secured in place by 2 small cross head screws. Watch out as you pull the switch off the back as there is a metal rod within the barrel which goes from the rear of the lock barrel to the slot in the switch and is what activates the switch when the key is turned.
 
Aye, as ratty says. Ye can just see one of the wee screws in this photie (follow the red/white wire and ye should just see it above it)...

Bulkheadmods057.jpg


There is one on the opposite side which is a wee bit trickier to get to.

As fur the sheer bolts, ye can just tap them round with something like a centre punch and then use yer finger to twist thum out (if needs be) ;):D
 
Thanks.
You are right that it is the lock - I was sloppy in my description and what I have bought is the full lock and switch unit and that's what I want to replace, as I can't get to the back of the unit to get the screws off. Just wondered 1) if there are any hidden problems in changing the whole unit and 2) any easy way of getting the shear bolts undone.
 
Aye, as ratty says. Ye can just see one of the wee screws in this photie (follow the red/white wire and ye should just see it above it)...

Bulkheadmods057.jpg


There is one on the opposite side which is a wee bit trickier to get to.

As fur the sheer bolts, ye can just tap them round with something like a centre punch and then use yer finger to twist thum out (if needs be) ;):D

There's hope for me...!!! I'd been thinking about this most of the day and on the way home tonight I actually stopped at the ironmongers (we still have one here) and bought a new centre punch as I've lost mine to see if that will do the job on the bolts. Great minds and all that....thanks.
 
Thanks.
You are right that it is the lock - I was sloppy in my description and what I have bought is the full lock and switch unit and that's what I want to replace, as I can't get to the back of the unit to get the screws off. Just wondered 1) if there are any hidden problems in changing the whole unit and 2) any easy way of getting the shear bolts undone.

No hidden problems at all.

As Buster says, you can use a centre punch (or 4" nail if you aint got one) to tap the sheer bolts round with. If you were clever and ordered the extra bit that goes around the bottom of the column on the opposite side to the lock, you could use an angle grinder, air cut off tool or dremmel to cut through the thin bit. ;)
 
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There's hope for me...!!! I'd been thinking about this most of the day and on the way home tonight I actually stopped at the ironmongers (we still have one here) and bought a new centre punch as I've lost mine to see if that will do the job on the bolts. Great minds and all that....thanks.

Nae wurries;)
Ye might even be surprised as to how easy they actually come out:D
 
hacksaw up both sides just on the inside of the sheer bolts when your almost through a short sharp tap with a decent chisel. The metal is monkey metal cast crap and will easily break off.
 
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