Dirtbags tried to steal my 92 Z. They didn't get the car, but they busted the column cover on the left side. How do you pull the wheel and change this piece? My insurance deductible is $500 so I am trying to fix it myself. I read the previous post about the stuck lock cylinder. Is this a real pain, or does it just look that way.
Thanks

 

There are about six small screws holding the wheel on, then underneath that is where a steering wheel puller is necessary. Vader has a great pic of all of the parts, I'll see if I can dig it up.

 

Here's the thread, hopefully this will help:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=113811

 

There are a couple of places that offer polished SS clamp-on guards that cover and reinforce the steering column upper bowl. After having two attempted thefts on different vehicles, I seriously considered using them, but I couldn't bring myself to go cruising around towm with a "strap-on". I built a larger garage instead, and experimented with ball-point 45 ACP rounds. They go through anything, and are arguably legal. They'll stop most engines with a good hit, too.

 

I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE thieves. Not only are they the scum of the earth, but are dumb as $hit most of the time. I had my stock broke radio in the back seat and my new partially installed $450 Eclipse head unit in the dash and the retards stole the broke one right out of my drive. From then on I do everything I can short of going on a man hunt.

DON'T BUY STOLEN STUFF!!!! THIEVES CAN'T WORK IF THEY CAN'T SELL!!!!

 

Thanks to everyone for the info. I read up on the air bag and had to think real hard about pulling it. I usually don't sweat any kind of hands on work, BUT the repair shop that fixed the column under my insurance the last time it was trashed said that they wont touch them anymore due to the risk of damaging the bag, or having a tech plastered to the seat. They said the biggest problem is damaging the bag, or not reinstalling it correctly, either way big bucks to take it to the dealer for another repair. I have to admit defeat on this one and pay the experts to handle it. I found a place in Phoenix that says they will send a mobile unit out and fix it for $175. I would love ten minutes with the dirtbag that tried to steal the car, at least I could have a little fun for my money. Maybe even strap him to the seat and activate the airbag! I am well trained with my 45 colt compact, but i wouldn't waste the ammo. I think i will look into the stainless coverplate, anyone know who carries them?

 

92,

...

As for the SIR system, the key is to kill the system power, and be VERY sure that the firing coil/pickup is properly centered when reassembling. Just for laughs, I'd also start the car the first time by reaching around the steering wheel (NOT through it) and starting it from the outside of the window.

 

Uh... thats cool but would your motor be paid for if someone was stealing your car and you put a bullet through it?

 

It is fun to talk about what we'd do if we caught the scumbags breaking into our cars...every time I get broken into, it rekindles my desire to park the car outside with the windows down and place razor blades in strategic locations, holding my weapon of choice and wait for the dic ks to return to finish the job.

Problem is they seem to have more rights than we do...the pri cks can make your day/week/etc a living hell after they've diabled your vehicle, and since they hadn't put you "in harms way" you can't do squat.

I watched some local cable channel "home invasion" trials years ago, two great lines always stuck with me.

One was when the homeowner was asked "Mr. xxx, why did you shoot the man 6 times", the guy anwered "that was all the bullets my gun held".

The other was when the Judge asked the homeowner "Do you think it was worth it to take a mans life to save your TV?", and the homeowner replied "I think the real question should be, did the a$$hole think my TV was worth risking his life for?".

 

time for a speed loader and come extra clips..

 

Damn right. It's all about the Winchester SXT (still legal in MO!)...more commonly known as the Black Talon. Not exactly the same but it does the same kinda job...a 1200 fps blender with 970 ft-lbs of muzzle energy

 

We don't have to waste perfectly good ammunition on defending our property - just our personal welfare. All we have to do against the common theif is to outsmart them, and that doesn't take much. VATS is a fairly effective deterrent, which is one of the reasons that we don't openly discuss the bypass of the system on these boards.

There are other methods that are just as effective, or even more so, but may require a little operator input. A redundant fuel cutoff or starter interrupt, ignition disable, aftermarket alarm and fuel cutoff, remote starter/alarm, a reinforced column, or my favorite:



You can start it all you want, but...