Breaking and entering

[tapkaJohnD]

This weekend, I'm organising a college autosolo. It's a bit of fun, but all organised by the MSA Blue Book, which is part of the educative content.
We have college permission to use two runners from their collection of decrepit cars, intended to be dismantled by the students for their education.
But the keys to the 1994 Mk2 Micra are lost and they cannot be found, after two weeks of searching.

We had to break into the car as the doors were locked (long wire), but can't start it
Hotwiring won't solve the steering lock.
Can anyone advise on how to break the steering lock?

PM me if you feel it should not be public knowledge. I'll be glad to offer bona fides!

Thanks
John (Student and event organiser, CofC, etc)

Edited by tapkaJohnD on Wednesday 23 November 22:41

[Hainey]

Scaffold bar is what we used to use.

In the garage. Not in a nefarious sense.

[Kaj91]

Steering lock is simply a matter of brute force, though on a 22 year old Micra it probably won't take too much.

[s p a c e m a n]

Two ways, you can either break the pin or remove the barrel. Put a long bar between the spokes of the steering wheel and use it to lever the wheel around until the lock breaks or use a slide hammer into the key of the barrel until it gives up and you can pull the barrel out. Other more professional ways are available, but I'll always put the minimal effort into that type of stuff.

[Evoluzione]

I was once asked to help break the steering lock on an old Renault for some idiot, he got in the driving seat and told me to get in the passenger seat and we both pulled on it. The man was a total pest and violent criminal, but things seemed to be going well, it twisted quite easily with both of us at it until it broke right off and he was sat there holding a no longer connected steering wheel with the light on it still flashing.
The shocked look on his face was enough to set me off, I couldn't help it. Bottom lip trembled and I think I laughed for about 20 minutes solid, Initially I genuinely couldn't stand up.
He borrowed an angry grinder, sharpened the shaft like a pencil, hammered the wheel on tight and after a bit of welding drove off in embarrassment.

[tapkaJohnD]

Thank you! Must admit, I was expecting something a little more 'scientific' than a scaffold bar and twist it 'til it breaks.
Anyhow, lifted the bonnet last night (geting t'other car ready) and someone (I know wh0) has stolen the radiator too!

Never mind, we'll manage with one car. It'll be slower between runs, but anyway.

John

Edited by tapkaJohnD on Friday 25th November 22:12

[Hainey]

tapkaJohnD said:

Thank you! Must admit, I was expecting something a little more 'scientific' than a scaffold bar and twist it 'til it breaks.
Anyhow, lifted the bonnet last night (geting t'other car ready) and someone (I know wh0) has stolen the radiator too!

Never mind, we'll manage with one car. It'll be slower between runs, but anyway.

John

Edited by tapkaJohnD on Friday 25th November 22:12

Nothing scientific or difficult about it, it's just a matter of leverage. Hence the scaffie bar.

Back in the day we used to be able to tell a ringer Ford by steering column wobble as the bar used to cause damage that made the wheel move laterally as you applied side force to it.

1980s Ford's. They really were made out of metal shavings mixed with angel delight.