Thread: Steering Column Lock Position

Hi Everyone,
I am in the process of replacing a worn ignition switch on my son’s recently acquired 2003 TD5 Defender 90. Whilst test fitting the new genuine Land Rover ignition switch with normal bolts (no sheer bolts yet), I noticed that the steering wheel has to be turned about 90 degrees anticlockwise from straight ahead to engage the steering column lock. Is this the normal position or should I re-align the notch in the steering column so that it engages when the steering wheel is centred?
Steering Locked Position.JPG

Just to clarify, the steering alignment itself is spot on in that the car drives straight with the steering wheel in the centred position and the steering box centring pin aligns with the slot in the Pitman arm.

It is obviously not a major issue but I would like to get it right while we have everything apart. With the steering wheel in the locked position as it is currently, it appears to me that it would be easier to put a bar through the steering wheel to break the column lock to steel it than if the wheel was straight ahead. Although I can see some merit in having the wheels slightly turned when locked so that if someone tries to roll it away, it will roll towards the kerb. I would appreciate any thoughts on this.

It seems as though my steering lock position is about right then, all be it to the left hand side. I guess it makes sense to lock the wheels with a slight turn as you have described. Thanks for the quick reply.

I am doing some other mods to the steering column but I will post those as a separate thread once I have proved that they work.