How to Break Steering Wheel Lock Without Key
There’s nothing more frustrating than being stuck with a steering wheel lock. You can’t go anywhere, and you’re unsure how to get out of the situation. But don’t worry – we’re here to help. This blog post will show you how to break steering wheel lock without key.
It’s important to break the steering wheel lock without a key because you’ll be stuck there indefinitely if you don’t. If you’re stranded on the side of the road, this could mean a long and uncomfortable wait for help to arrive. So don’t wait – follow these instructions to break the steering wheel lock without a key today.
Required Materials:
- Pry bar
- Hammer
- Chisel
- Safety Glasses
Once you have gathered your materials, it’s time to get started.
7 Methods to Follow on How to Break Steering Wheel Lock Without Key
Method 1: Take the Steering Wheel out
Take the Steering Wheel out of your locked vehicle. If you have power steering, you won’t be able to do this without disabling the power steering first, but if not, it’s easy enough to turn the wheel a few times and pull straight up on it using all your weight. Again, how much pressure is necessary depends on how much pressure the lock requires.
Step 1:
Find a suitable location to work.
Step 2:
Use a screwdriver to pry the lock open.
Step 3:
Make sure you’ve got something (e.g., cloth) between your rod and the steering wheel cover.
Method 2: Use Cable or Wire
You will need to use a wire or a metal cable for this method. You can remove the plastic covering around your steering column and strip back the insulation on the wires inside, or go straight to Plan B and cut open your steering wheel’s protective plastic cover.
Step 1: Remove Plastic Covering From Steering Column
Take off the plastic covering around your steering column. If you need to, consult a how-to guide such as this one (or how-to video) for help on how to do this.
Step 2: Locate Wires in Cable Ready Position
Once the plastic cover is off, you’ll see that some of the wires are in a cable-ready position, meaning they are ready to be used as cables. These wires have been pushed back into the column so they can’t be seen from the outside of the car, and this is how you want to leave them, so you don’t accidentally trigger your steering wheel locks.
Step 3: Strip Wires with Wire Strippers
Next, you’ll want to strip some wire from the ends of these cables. Again, you may need a how-to guide on removing and stripping insulation from wires before doing this step if it’s your first time.
Step 4: Cable Wires Together
Once you’ve stripped the wires (and checked that they aren’t attached to anything important), it’s time to cable them together. If you are using a metal wire, how many you’ll need will depend on how strong the lock is.
Method 3: Use a Magnet
If you don’t mind spending money on something, you can also buy a steering wheel lock magnet. These are designed to attach to the steering column and be strong enough to trigger the lock even when no key is inserted. They usually come with how-to instructions on how to attach them.
Step 1: Attach to Steering Wheel
Attach the magnet (or how-to guide) to your steering wheel and ensure it is secure. If you’re unsure about doing this, consult a how-to video guide for help.
Step 2: Activate Unlocking Mechanism
Next, pull as hard as you can on the steering wheel without breaking it, and activate the unlocking mechanism on your steering wheel to break it.
Method 4: Use a Screwdriver
You will need to use a screwdriver for this one and some how-to knowledge. If you don’t have how-to knowledge, you can either watch how to attach and strip insulation from wires (see how-to video) or remove a plastic cover from your steering column (see how-to guide).
Step 1: Take off Plastic Cover From Steering Column
Remove the plastic covering from around your steering column.
Step 2: Insert Screwdriver Into Steering Lock and Pry It Open
Use a screwdriver as a lever to pry open the steering lock. You can also use how-to videos or how-to guides to do this if you need help.
Step 3: Insert Wires Into Steering Column Wires
Once your steering column is open, insert some stripped wires into the column’s wiring and connect them (or how-to video how to do this).
Step 4: Pull Steering Wheel While Activating Unlocking Mechanism
Activate the unlocking mechanism on your steering wheel. As usual, how-to videos or how-to guides can help with how to do this if you’re not sure.
Method 5: Use a Soldering Iron
It may sound like something straight out of the movies, but the art of breaking into a car with a soldering iron is quite real. This method will open up your lock, but it will also leave you with very little evidence behind. Here’s how to do it:
To begin, solder an additional wire onto both sides of the lock to have two soldered sides. Break off the rib of your steering wheel just enough to expose the lock. Next, solder one wire onto each side of your exposed lock. Make sure these are connected! At this point, you’ll need to heat the solder on one side. Once it’s hot enough, pull quickly, and the lock should pop right open.
Step 1:
Solder extra wire to both sides of the lock
Step 2:
Break rib off the steering wheel, exposing the lock
Step 3:
Solder one wire to each side of the exposed lock
Step 4:
Heat the solder on one side until it’s hot enough for the lock to pop open. Here is what you’ll want to try inserting into your keyhole:
- Extra wire you’ve soldered
- Other working keys from your car
- Any other metal object with a wire attached
Method 6: Pick the Lock
Believe it or not, people have been picking locks since 4000 BC. While this is not the easiest way to break your steering wheel lock, it does work if you’ve got some time on your hands. Here are the steps to follow:
Firstly, pick out how many pins are inside the lock – there should be between 3 and 7. Once you know how many pins are in your lock, insert a bent wire into your keyhole and start pushing the pins up one at a time.
Step 1:
Pick how many pins are in your lock
Step 2:
Insert a bent wire into your keyhole and push the pins up. Your pin will eventually push up. Once it’s at the top, pull the wire straight out of your lock, and you should be able to turn your key once again!
Method 7: Hit the Steering Wheel with a Wrench or Hammer
This one is pretty simple, but how effective it is also depends on how hard you hit the wheel. For this method to work, you’ll need a wrench or a hammer and strike the steering wheel in the same place three times consecutively.
Step 1:
Insert a wrench or a hammer into your keyhole
Step 2:
Hit the wheel in the same place three times consecutively. As ridiculous as it may seem, if you strike the steering wheel in the right place with enough force three times, it will cause your lock to pop open. However, how much damage this causes to your car is entirely up to you!
If none of these methods work and you’re desperate, there is one last thing you can try: Call a tow truck and have them remove your steering wheel for you. While this may be a little costly, it’s better than not having your car! Keep reading for more information about how to break steering wheel lock without key.
Frequently Asked Question
How Much Does It Cost to Unlock a Steering Wheel?
The cost of having a tow truck unlock your steering wheel can vary depending on how complex the process is. However, most towing companies will charge around $50-75 for this service.
How Do You Unlock a Steering Wheel with A Turnkey?
If you have a turnkey for your car, you need to insert it into the keyhole and turn it. This will unlock your steering wheel and allow you to drive your car.
Can You Break Steering Wheel Lock?
Yes, there are several ways to break your steering wheel lock. Whether you’re using a soldering iron, a wrench, or a hammer, as long as you hit the wheel in the right place, it will cause the lock to pop open. However, how effective these methods depend on how hard you hit the wheel and how many pins are in your lock. If none of these methods work, you can always call a tow truck to have your steering wheel removed.
What Should I Do if My Steering Lock Fails?
If your steering lock fails, you have a few options. You can try one of the methods listed above or call a tow truck to have your steering wheel removed.
Conclusion
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to break your car’s steering wheel lock without the key, you can try a few methods. The most important thing is to remain calm and take your time. By following the steps we’ve outlined, you should be able to get yourself out of this frustrating situation. Have you ever had to break your steering wheel lock? What method did you use? Thanks for reading our post about how to break steering wheel lock without key.
