Topic: Disable steering wheel lock?

Do I need to disable the steering wheel lock to race in the 24 Hours of Lemons?

EPA Racing - #40 Supercharged Dodge Caliber

2 (edited by gus 2020-03-12 12:48 PM)

Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

I'm sure there used to be a rule about disabling the steering lock a few years back, but it's since disappeared if it did ever exist.

There's nothing in the current rules about disabling a steering lock.

Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

Yes. I don't think it is on the tech sheet but for your safety and the safety of the other cars on the track disable it. You can typically find instructions  online for your specific car. For most it means drilling out a rivet and removing the mechanical internals of the switch mechanism. Don't just try to drill into the lock to destroy the mechanism (or worse hit it with a punch) which typically leaves bits floating around that will eventually jam.

Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

The latest wrapup video illustrates what happens when you try to disable the column lock and do it wrong (hint: you're hella gonna crash). Do it properly.

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Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

Chumpcar (and maybe others?) require the vehicle's steering lock to be removed, but Lemons does not. As we all saw from the Barber wrap up video, the cure can sometimes be worse than the disease.

The Pentastar whisperer

Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

When you turn the car ignition key to the on position, isn't the steering wheel lock disabled?  Have you ever heard of that failing?

Team whatever_racecar #745 Volvo wagon

Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

rb92673 wrote:

When you turn the car ignition key to the on position, isn't the steering wheel lock disabled?  Have you ever heard of that failing?

That's what I've done.

Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

Here's what Pagel said in 2017. As far as I know, this is still HQ's position on the subject:

Evil Genius wrote:

Here's our take on steering locks: We don't require that they get removed. Indeed, there are very few instances of stock steering wheel locks locking up in Billions of miles of street driving, they are very fool-proof.    We don't want LeMons-grade mechanics screwing with it in a half assed manner.  Either disassemble your steering column correctly and remove ALL PARTS of the lock mechanism or leave it the hell alone.     This includes the strong-arm-break-the-lock method. Who knows how much shrapnel is floating around in your steering column after that kind of treatment.

https://forums.24hoursoflemons.com/view … 71#p309471

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Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

The problem isn't the failure of the stock steering wheel lock. The problems happen when the driver uses the stock ignition switch while on the track, intentionally or unintentionally. Car stalls so the driver attempts to restart while racing by turning the key off and back on not realizing there will be a momentary wheel lock.

The other thing I have seen happen is the driver bump the key with a knee cutting the car off and locking the wheel without realizing what has happened. Car left the track at speed with a locked steering wheel.

Agree that if you are going to disable it you need to take the time to do it right and remove all the mechanical internal parts of the steering lock.

Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

Its not REQUIRED in Lemons.  But its a good idea to disable it.

1.  If you want to play/test in other places a lot of those series/clubs require you to remove it.

2.  We have seen them jam AFTER an impact in our stock car racing.

As many others have said, do it right.   Don't just break it, or hammer it into the column.  You don't want shrapnel or loose parts falling into the bowels of the column and jamming it up.


I'm not sure what car you guys have, but its normally not that big of a deal to disable it.  We race GM junk, and pulling out the lock ring will do the trick in most cars if you don't want to mess with the pin.  Our Corvette had a (busted) telescoping column so I gutted the whole thing to remove potential points of failure.

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Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

The important thing to remember is, nobody wants to steal your crappy race car. Get rid of the whole ignition tumbler and go to panel switches.

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Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

Guildenstern wrote:

The important thing to remember is, nobody wants to steal your crappy race car. Get rid of the whole ignition tumbler and go to panel switches.

Agreed. 

Make it easier for them to steal the trailer you store the car on, chances are they will leave the car if they can just get in and drive it off the trailer.

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Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

Guildenstern wrote:

The important thing to remember is, nobody wants to steal your crappy race car. Get rid of the whole ignition tumbler and go to panel switches.

We just take the (removeable) steering wheel out of the car. If someone figures out the kill switches (we have two), the master power, and the starter, I suppose they could drive it with vice grips if they're determined (and psycho).

The car got stolen! YEA, time for a new car!!!

14 (edited by Limonaid 2020-03-14 10:02 PM)

Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

rb92673 wrote:

When you turn the car ignition key to the on position, isn't the steering wheel lock disabled?  Have you ever heard of that failing?

Yes. Many times. Late C5 Corvettes have serious problems with the column locks, including locking while driving.  They went through three versions of the recall and never really got it right. As me how I know.

EPA Racing - #40 Supercharged Dodge Caliber

Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

Bayley wrote:

Chumpcar (and maybe others?) require the vehicle's steering lock to be removed, but Lemons does not. As we all saw from the Barber wrap up video, the cure can sometimes be worse than the disease.

Yes, that video is what prompted my question.

Thanks to everyone for the good discussion here. I'll look into disabling it on my car.

EPA Racing - #40 Supercharged Dodge Caliber

Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

Limonaid wrote:

Do I need to disable the steering wheel lock to race in the 24 Hours of Lemons?


yes

"get up and get your grandma outta here"

Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

Mr.Yuck wrote:
Limonaid wrote:

Do I need to disable the steering wheel lock to race in the 24 Hours of Lemons?


yes


I think you misspelled "No".

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Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

Fishah wrote:
Mr.Yuck wrote:
Limonaid wrote:

Do I need to disable the steering wheel lock to race in the 24 Hours of Lemons?


yes


I think you misspelled "No".

why wouldn't you? If you want to race in another league or even do practice at some tracks it has to be disabled? It isn't hard.

"get up and get your grandma outta here"

Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

Mr.Yuck wrote:
Fishah wrote:
Mr.Yuck wrote:

yes


I think you misspelled "No".

why wouldn't you? If you want to race in another league or even do practice at some tracks it has to be disabled? It isn't hard.

Umm, it's explained above in great detail why you might choose not too.

Also, the OP asked if it was required in Lemons. The answer is not Yes. The answer is No.

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#928 Porsche 928 - West German Pushrodders (Retired)
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Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

Fishah wrote:
Mr.Yuck wrote:
Fishah wrote:

I think you misspelled "No".

why wouldn't you? If you want to race in another league or even do practice at some tracks it has to be disabled? It isn't hard.

Umm, it's explained above in great detail why you might choose not too.

Also, the OP asked if it was required in Lemons. The answer is not Yes. The answer is No.

Ok try and run at another event.

"get up and get your grandma outta here"

Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

https://youtu.be/ohDB5gbtaEQ

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Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

That wasn't funny at all.

Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

Lemon_Newton-Metre wrote:

That wasn't funny at all.

Yes it was...….

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2016 Thompson Speedway #36 Sabrina Duncan's Revenge, IOE Trophy, 5th Place 'C' Class 1977 Ford Pinto
2009 Stafford Motor Speedway #16 Team Teflon, 11th Place (overall) 1997 Saturn SL2

24 (edited by Lemon_Newton-Metre 2020-03-26 08:58 AM)

Re: Disable steering wheel lock?

-SDR- wrote:
Lemon_Newton-Metre wrote:

That wasn't funny at all.

Yes it was...….

No it wasn't....

[h/t > cheseroo]