Ignition Barrel Removal...

[Akinesis]

OK, so I'm ditching the ignition barrel and replacing it with a 'push-to-start' switch. I've read the FAQ and the process to remove the barrel is in there for the 'plastic-sleeve' set-up. The post says that pre-91 'Rocco's were fitted with this plastic sleeve... mine is '89 and has the metal sleeve - how rubbish is my luck

It was no surprise that the hammer and screwdriver solution was about as much use as a one-legged man in an ass-kicking competition. So, I am presented with yet another hurdle in my Track-'Rocco build. Has anyone found a solution to removing the metal-sleeved barrel?? I take it this is no off-the-shelf tool, but is anyone aware of any tricks to getting this damn thing off??

Cheers all!

[Nate]

i'm assuming that you are talking about the one that makes the column splines biggerer? hammer and chisel, air chisel or chisel in an sds with rotostop. violence is the answer. i had no luck using a puller, as there isn't quite enough of it to get the jaws on. you may have some luck with a bearing separator like this



and bolt a bit of box to it with a bolt thru the middle pushing onto the end of the column to pull it off. not tried it though, so couldn't say if it'd work...

[Akinesis]

Yes, it is the larger spline

I'll have a look for that tool, but I was guessing that violence would be the answer Cheers for the info

If anyone else has done this, keep the ideas coming!

[wasted]

Had to do this last year when some chav nicked my Scala. I ended up disconnecting the steering column, drilling out the two shear bolts holding it to the body under the dash, and drawing the whole thing out. After that, I put the steering wheel nut on the very end of the column at the steering wheel end, put a block of wood on it, held the ignition barrel housing in a vice, heated the sleeve with a blowtorch until it was seriously hot, and then used a lump hammer on the nut to drive the shaft out of the sleeve.
Remember to put the nut on the end of the shaft - that way if the threads deform you can recut them with the nut, a spanner and some brute force.
Good luck!

[scirocogtx]

I had a problem with my ignition switch and my headlights going off.
I used a small threelegged puller to remove the spline from my Scala's shaft. Took a good while and there was a little damage to the spline lip but perserverence worked.

[Akinesis]

I've got a bearing seperator on order at the mo, so everything's on hold! Tried the three legged puller but it kept slipping off and wearing the spline. Tried tie-wraps and locking-wire to stop the legs spread/twisting but to no prevail. Gonna try the bearing seperator first, then an angle grinder ( ) and then taking the column out will be a last resort!

Thanks for the tips - keep them coming

[scirocogtx]

Forgot to say that i put a set of molegrips around the edge of the spline and then used the puller on the grips. My memories failing :)