DIY disable steering lock E36 328i 1997

[S///Mon]

After near death the other day, I decided that the lock needs to die. Did a bit of research, and didnt find too much but found something similar on an e30 forum but nothing that clearly shows how to do it on an E36.

So here it is...

What you will need:

1x Phillips Screw driver
1x Drill incl. 3/8" drill bit
1x Large paper clip
1x Pliers

Unplug the negative terminal from the battery.
Then remove steering wheel hub covers
Turn the key to "Radio position" about 60° from off.

3/8" drill bit or slightly smaller will work, but not too small. Drill a hole on the raised section as shown below. (I had a practice run with a smaller hole to the right but couldn't get a good grip on the spring) Drill more to the left. The longer section is where the spring resides. You will go through 1 layer, try not to go through the second.

Insert the top of the paper clip, bend it slightly and wiggle it around till it catches the spring. Then grab the paper clip with pliers and pull firmly...

And TA-DAAA!!!

No more locked steering. :thumbsup:

1 step, a small one that it may be, but its a step to getting the car ready for the track Following these instructions, this job is a max of 20-30mins.

 

[Cole]

:thumbsup: wouldnt want to get steering locked up again!

 

[withinoz]

This was a thorough and well documented DIY. My steering wheel locked at a full service car wash about 3 weeks ago and I was able to find this thread and run back down there to get my car without a tow fee and without paying BMW $900 to replace the steering column.

It didn't happen while I was driving, Thank God, but it was still annoying as hell.. THANKS!!

 

[ekseniks]

What is this? Is it a known E36 problem? I have heard of something like this before but i just brushed it off. Should i seriously consider doing this?

 

[S///Mon]

@WithinOz: Absolute pleasure. Send us a pic of your ride.

@Ekseniks: I have heard of a few E36's having this issue. Earlier models and due to age the locking spring becomes worn.

 

[Raybimmer]

I know ignition barrel turn around sometimes .

 

[zaleonardz]

I have that on my E36....

Still have not fixed it...

 

[withinoz]

@WithinOz: Absolute pleasure. Send us a pic of your ride.

Here is the best pic I have - 257779 miles! Still runs like its brand new! I am going to purchase an E46 tomorrow - 2003 Black on Black 330i 5 Spd - after my 97 328, I am stuck on these machines. I'm keeping the E36 also. Can't sell it for anything, and it is a great car. Worth more than I could get.



- To anyone else out there driving a 98 - older model 3 series I would recommend doing this before it catches you. Luckily I was only a mile from home and my car was parked, if this happens to you while you are driving on the highway.... DEAD PLACE... This costs NOTHING, and only took a few minutes with a good drill and bit.. *THUMBS UP*

 

[ameer-cader]

After near death the other day, I decided that the lock needs to die. Did a bit of research, and didnt find too much but found something similar on an e30 forum but nothing that clearly shows how to do it on an E36.

So here it is...

What you will need:

1x Phillips Screw driver
1x Drill incl. 3/8" drill bit
1x Large paper clip
1x Pliers

Unplug the negative terminal from the battery.
Then remove steering wheel hub covers
Turn the key to "Radio position" about 60° from off.

3/8" drill bit or slightly smaller will work, but not too small. Drill a hole on the raised section as shown below. (I had a practice run with a smaller hole to the right but couldn't get a good grip on the spring) Drill more to the left. The longer section is where the spring resides. You will go through 1 layer, try not to go through the second.

Insert the top of the paper clip, bend it slightly and wiggle it around till it catches the spring. Then grab the paper clip with pliers and pull firmly...

And TA-DAAA!!!

No more locked steering. :thumbsup:

1 step, a small one that it may be, but its a step to getting the car ready for the track Following these instructions, this job is a max of 20-30mins.

---

After near death the other day, I decided that the lock needs to die. Did a bit of research, and didnt find too much but found something similar on an e30 forum but nothing that clearly shows how to do it on an E36.

So here it is...

What you will need:

1x Phillips Screw driver
1x Drill incl. 3/8" drill bit
1x Large paper clip
1x Pliers

Unplug the negative terminal from the battery.
Then remove steering wheel hub covers
Turn the key to "Radio position" about 60° from off.

3/8" drill bit or slightly smaller will work, but not too small. Drill a hole on the raised section as shown below. (I had a practice run with a smaller hole to the right but couldn't get a good grip on the spring) Drill more to the left. The longer section is where the spring resides. You will go through 1 layer, try not to go through the second.

Insert the top of the paper clip, bend it slightly and wiggle it around till it catches the spring. Then grab the paper clip with pliers and pull firmly...

And TA-DAAA!!!

No more locked steering. :thumbsup:

1 step, a small one that it may be, but its a step to getting the car ready for the track Following these instructions, this job is a max of 20-30mins.

---

i followed the intructions but sadly only managed to get the small spring out any ideas how i can get the the steering cable out

---

i followed the intructions but sadly only managed to get the small spring out any ideas how i can get the the steering cable out

 

[danieljames]

Hmmm.....how did u get the hub covers off without removing the steering wheel? On my 95 E36 the bottom cover is stuck behind the steering wheel. I'm weary to remove the wheel because of the airbag. And I don't want to break the cOver

 

[Reidi316]

Hi

I need help with my steering lock on my E36 1996 316I,
once i swtch the car off the steering locks and refuses to unlock.
I have to start the car pay with the steering until it unlocks and at times it lock while i am driving.

I can seem to find a barrel & key any where is pretoria. Is their any other i can fix this problem permenantly

please help me [/u]

 

[InFrA007]

After near death the other day, I decided that the lock needs to die. Did a bit of research, and didnt find too much but found something similar on an e30 forum but nothing that clearly shows how to do it on an E36.

So here it is...

What you will need:

1x Phillips Screw driver
1x Drill incl. 3/8" drill bit
1x Large paper clip
1x Pliers

Unplug the negative terminal from the battery.
Then remove steering wheel hub covers
Turn the key to "Radio position" about 60° from off.

3/8" drill bit or slightly smaller will work, but not too small. Drill a hole on the raised section as shown below. (I had a practice run with a smaller hole to the right but couldn't get a good grip on the spring) Drill more to the left. The longer section is where the spring resides. You will go through 1 layer, try not to go through the second.

Insert the top of the paper clip, bend it slightly and wiggle it around till it catches the spring. Then grab the paper clip with pliers and pull firmly...

And TA-DAAA!!!

No more locked steering. :thumbsup:

1 step, a small one that it may be, but its a step to getting the car ready for the track Following these instructions, this job is a max of 20-30mins.

---

After near death the other day, I decided that the lock needs to die. Did a bit of research, and didnt find too much but found something similar on an e30 forum but nothing that clearly shows how to do it on an E36.

So here it is...

What you will need:

1x Phillips Screw driver
1x Drill incl. 3/8" drill bit
1x Large paper clip
1x Pliers

Unplug the negative terminal from the battery.
Then remove steering wheel hub covers
Turn the key to "Radio position" about 60° from off.

3/8" drill bit or slightly smaller will work, but not too small. Drill a hole on the raised section as shown below. (I had a practice run with a smaller hole to the right but couldn't get a good grip on the spring) Drill more to the left. The longer section is where the spring resides. You will go through 1 layer, try not to go through the second.

Insert the top of the paper clip, bend it slightly and wiggle it around till it catches the spring. Then grab the paper clip with pliers and pull firmly...

And TA-DAAA!!!

No more locked steering. :thumbsup:

1 step, a small one that it may be, but its a step to getting the car ready for the track Following these instructions, this job is a max of 20-30mins.

---

i followed the intructions but sadly only managed to get the small spring out any ideas how i can get the the steering cable out

---

i followed the intructions but sadly only managed to get the small spring out any ideas how i can get the the steering cable out

---

---

---

Once the spring is out that's it, job done. Did mine last year according to this DIY and no steering lock on my race car, last thing I'd want is for it to get stuck mid-corner on the track...

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk

 

[Reidi316]

:ty: i will try

 

[pi328]

Thanks for this informative post. Suffering the same fate at present. As I understand it, the hole needs to go where I've crudely drawn the red circle?

 

[RonRuys]

Very useful tip but not sure of key angle or reason for this angle, can you tell me more specifically how far the key must be turned and why disconnect battery, when I disconnect it I lose memory stuff so I'm told

 

[S///Mon]

Very useful tip but not sure of key angle or reason for this angle, can you tell me more specifically how far the key must be turned and why disconnect battery, when I disconnect it I lose memory stuff so I'm told

Sorry, the original post seems to have gone all weird. Its about 60 degrees turned. Cant really remember why it needs to be turned that far, maybe I was just being cautious and didnt want residual power in the ignition. I dunno, but it worked :rollsmile: