How do you remove the ignition switch from steering column?

Dealing with all subsystems specific to the diesel powered Datsun-Nissan 720 pickup trucks.

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TruckA
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Location: Raleigh, NC

How do you remove the ignition switch from steering column?

#1

Post by TruckA »

There are two phillips head screws, plus two brass looking pins. The pins look like they are tapped in, and I tried to drive them out by tapping with a hammer and screw driver. I don't want to break anything, so can anyone help me out with the secret of removing the ignition switch?

Thanks!

David L.
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asavage
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#2

Post by asavage »

The two others are security bolts. The heads break off when they come up to torque.

You can sometimes use a pointed chisel and catch one side of the head and walk it out that way. If you have room, you can also use a Dremel with a fine wheel and cut a slot into it -- you do end up cutting a slot in the screw's well walls, but that's OK.

I use both methods. The pin chisel method is slightly easier and less messy, but is not 100% effective, esp. if you've bent the screw by pounding on it. You might have to create a slot in the head in your case.
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TruckA
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Location: Raleigh, NC

#3

Post by TruckA »

Thanks for the help, I'll bust out the chisel and dremel to see which one I can get to work for me. How in the world do the screws get torqued in from the factory when they have no head on them?

David
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asavage
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#4

Post by asavage »

The bolts had heads on them. They are break-away heads. You torque them up, and the head breaks off. That's a common item, actually; many mfgrs use them.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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TruckA
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Location: Raleigh, NC

#5

Post by TruckA »

I can see how they work now, where the head broke off, it looked like surface marring from if they were driven in. I haven't run across them before until now, thanks for the information.

David
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asavage
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#6

Post by asavage »

I found a picture (drawing) of the shear head screws before they are installed. See the keys/locks thread.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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