steering lock

Reasteh · 2 Jan 2009 at 21:50

I've got a habbit of putting the steerting lock on everytime i get out the car.

Someone recently told me this can mess up your power steering/tracking. Are they taking nonsense?

Also, does it actually make your car any more secure or is it pretty pointless?

Fr0dders · 2 Jan 2009 at 21:56

its pretty pointless

the lock will engage if they move the wheel without the key anyway

and it can be destroyed usually with a swift blow anyway. And if they do want your car, they'll most likely nick the keys off you in the night, and dis engage the alarm, immobiliser and steering lock with them.

Clarkey · 2 Jan 2009 at 22:01

well, it will leave quite a lot of stress on the steering system for long periods of time, will probably kill the track rod ends if nothing else.

atpbx · 2 Jan 2009 at 22:22

Clarkey said:
well, it will leave quite a lot of stress on the steering system for long periods of time, will probably kill the track rod ends if nothing else.

????

How will it do this? the steering lock works on the steering column, its like a deadbolt mechanism.

Finglonga · 2 Jan 2009 at 22:26

atpbx said:
????

How will it do this? the steering lock works on the steering column, its like a deadbolt mechanism.

Yes but the whole system can be put under pressure from steering column down when you turn the wheel slightly to get the lock to engage.

atpbx · 2 Jan 2009 at 22:29

Finglonga said:
Yes but the whole system can be put under pressure from steering column down when you turn the wheel slightly to get the lock to engage.

No, there is no pressure on the system once the lock is engaged.

The movement in the rubber on the tyres alone would dismiss any worries you could possibly have there.

Clarkey · 2 Jan 2009 at 22:33

of course there is. Try turning the key with the steering lock on, you can't because of the pressure against it, you have to turn the wheel to release the resistance before the key will turn.

Finglonga · 2 Jan 2009 at 22:34

atpbx said:
No, there is no pressure on the system once the lock is engaged.

There could be if the wheel needs turning to get the lock on, that's why sometimes the lock is hard to get off as the rest of the system is pushing against it.