Why are they stealing steering wheels?

Police said at least two groups of thieves are stealing steering wheels from Malibu cars for the airbags inside them. A Chevrolet dealer said he has seen the vandalism and theft on Equinox SUVs too. A shortage has created a black market for the airbags, car dealers said.

Can you drive with a broken steering column?

If the steering wheel does not lock, this is a critical warning sign of a problem with the steering column or one of the many components inside the column. Nonetheless, if this symptom arrives, do not drive the vehicle under any circumstances; as an unlocked steering wheel is a potentially dangerous situation.

Can someone steal your car with a steering wheel lock?

Steering wheel locks can be defeated There have been many cases where professional thieves have stolen cars equipped with a steering wheel lock by simply cutting a portion of the steering wheel to remove the device, or by drilling or cutting the device itself to disable it.

How do I stop my steering wheel theft?

The best ways of preventing steering wheel theft are by locking your car inside a garage, parking in safe well-lit areas, and attaching locks with sirens onto your steering wheel. You can also use an adapter so that you can detach your steering and keep it with you wherever you go.

Do people steal steering wheels?

From hubcaps to car stereos and catalytic converters, cars have been big targets for thieves over the decades. And car theft is up these days due to the pandemic. But now they’re after something else; steering wheels. It makes no sense until you remember that steering wheels have airbags in them.

Why do people steal catalytic converters?

Catalytic converters are designed to act as a line of defense against harmful exhaust system emissions by turning pollutants into harmless gasses, according to Cars.com. Thieves target catalytic converters because they contain precious metals, like platinum, palladium or rhodium, that are valuable to metal dealers.

Is it hard to replace a steering column?

It will take more than a couple of hours for a mechanic to remove your old steering column and then replace it with the new one. For this reason, the labor will be anywhere from $200 to $600. It all depends on the make and model of your vehicle and how complicated it is for the mechanic to access your steering column.

Do clubs work to deter car theft?

This is one of the top-rated devices when it comes to helping prevent and deter thieves from driving away in your car. Among Winner International’s many options for car anti-theft devices, The Club 1000 Original Club Steering Wheel Lock is the one we found to be the most dependable.

Why do thieves steal airbags?

Drivers could pay as much as $1,000 just to replace an airbag, plus the costs of labor and to repair a potentially damaged dashboard and/or windshield. While thieves can break into a car and steal an airbag in less than two minutes, some airbags are stolen as part of a scam perpetrated by unscrupulous repair shops.

What to do if your steering column is failing?

Since dirt, dust and other debris can find its way into the steering column, it’s possible for items to fall inside and block these gears from smooth operation. If you notice this warning sign, have a mechanic inspect the steering column, as it might be something small that can be easily fixed.

Where is the steering column located on a car?

Most of today’s modern vehicles utilize a power-assisted rack and pinion steering system. The steering column is located at the top of the steering system and attaches directly to the steering wheel. The steering column then attaches to the intermediate shaft and universal joints. When the steering column goes bad,…

Can a shifter be removed from a steering column?

If your ride has a shifter on the column and the shift indicator is mechanical, you will need to make sure you don’t break the cable as you lower the column. If you have one of these, make a mark where the clip goes and remove it before you lower the column.

How does a rack and pinion steering column work?

In a rack and pinion steering, the steering column connects the steering wheel and the rack. The rack has grooves in it and is connected to the automobile’s wheels. The column end has a pinion that fits into the rack’s grooves. While turning the steering wheel, the column twists the pinion that moves along the grooves.

What to do if your steering column is broken?

Whether you want to fix your broken steering column yourself or are looking for steering column parts to keep repair costs low at your local shop, we can help you with the problems that leave your car undriveable. Our specialty is knowing what you might need and providing hard-to-find steering column parts for damaged or broken steering columns.

Most of today’s modern vehicles utilize a power-assisted rack and pinion steering system. The steering column is located at the top of the steering system and attaches directly to the steering wheel. The steering column then attaches to the intermediate shaft and universal joints. When the steering column goes bad,…

How old is the steering column on a Ford truck?

We offer columns for Ford trucks ranging in coverage from 1980 through 2007. Whether you have a tilt or non-tilt, automatic or standard transmission, floor shift or column shift, using one of our “REBUILT STEERING COLUMNS” will make your job easier by simply swapping your bad column for our rebuilt one.

Why does my steering column not work properly?

There are multiple gears and gaskets that allow the steering system to work correctly inside of the steering column. Since dirt, dust and other debris can find its way into the steering column, it’s possible for items to fall inside and block these gears from smooth operation.