Community Forums

bowpulpit · 01-20-2014, 02:21 PM

OK....This is weird. Have a 03 W22 Workhorse. Getting ready for our trip to Tuscon so I changed the oil/filter today. Also wanted to clean the MAF sensor and put in a new air filter. I started the coach and turned the steering wheel all the way to the right to make room for me to get in the wheel well.
When I shut off the engine I held the steering wheel to the right as my Safe-T-Steer wants to bring the wheels back slightly.
When I finished I tried to start the engine but the steering wheel is locked SOLID. There is absolutley no play right or left that will allow me to move the ignition to start. I mean it's like it's been welded in this position.

Anyone know what could be wrong and how I can remedy this?

Got three weeks before we leave but worried.

mccsix · 01-20-2014, 02:27 PM

Try lots of muscle to the right while you jiggle the key, pull down hard on the wheel! Call Newmar c/s there may be a release procedure they're aware of to help.

Pepper2 · 01-20-2014, 02:32 PM

Shot in the dark here. Turn the key on and have a couple buddies try to rock the MH back and forth while you try and move the steering wheel. Good luck.

06workhorse · 01-20-2014, 02:40 PM

you may have to remove the steering wheel ond the locking ring then lift the locking plate off the locking pin. sounds like you have the steering at its extreem and the steering lock pin has engaged.

Viperhawk · 01-20-2014, 02:46 PM

If you have leveling jacks, use them to get some of the weight off the front wheels and try again. Good luck!

bowpulpit · 01-20-2014, 03:44 PM

Thanks Everyone for their suggestions. This is a first and was very puzzling. I think my mistake was holding the wheel all the way to the right "hard" when I shut the engine off. Wont do that again....there is a happy ending to this dilemma.

I removed one of the covers to the steering column to get a look at what might be going on. When I got it off I started jiggling the key, tried to turn the wheel to no avail but when I removed the tilt lever as I was removing the cover, the steering wheel snapped back in place. I have no clue what I did if anything but I'm back in business and learned a valuable lesson......never crank on the steering wheel to one side or the other and hold it while turning off the key

.

By the way I called Max Hubrich and Dale Olsen (OMEY) and they were both helpful. Thanks guys and everyone.

Cheers

**JohnRR** · 01-20-2014, 03:46 PM

Thank you for the update.

wa8yxm · 01-20-2014, 04:02 PM

Sometimes I have a problem removing the key and operation of the tilt wheel (Changing tilt) helps. There is a universal joint that figures into this is all I can determine. (or a CV joint).

I have had wheel lock on a few vehicles but.. Well, I was able to strong arm it.

YC1 · 01-20-2014, 04:26 PM

If it happens again and you have leveling jacks try raising the front.

Alan_Hepburn · 01-20-2014, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viperhawk

If you have leveling jacks, use them to get some of the weight off the front wheels and try again. Good luck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by YC1

If it happens again and you have leveling jacks try raising the front.

Some leveling jack systems require the engine to be running in order to work...

bowpulpit · 01-21-2014, 04:37 AM

Alan_Hepburn.....You are correct in my case......with the wheel locked and unable to move the key forward my jacks are disabled so this was not an option.

Max Hubrich · 01-21-2014, 04:39 AM

Steve (bowpulpit) couldn't turn the ignition switch to the "on" position to get the HWH jack control panel to activate to "on".

Maybe operating the tilt lever is part of the answer to this problem. A good point to remember.

I had a similiar problem some years ago. I just let it sit awhile, and the best I can remember, I went back and while wrestling the wheel, it unlocked.

DriVer · 01-22-2014, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowpulpit

......never crank on the steering wheel to one side or the other and hold it while turning off the key

.

Exactly! Always back off a 1/4 of a turn of the steering wheel from lock at the very minimum.

This should be valuable information that some folks will be able to use.

DriVer · 01-22-2014, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Hubrich

I had a similiar problem some years ago. I just let it sit awhile, and the best I can remember, I went back and while wrestling the wheel, it unlocked.

Exactly Max! Use a BIGGER hammer!