Leland steering wheel lock circa 1920

[billdeserthills]

That's really cool.

Here's an ad from the Automobile Trade Journal 1922:

According to the ad this device makes the steering wheel free-turning, by disengaging it, as well as making the steering column stronger.

I'm sure under the finish there is a pin or screw retaining that cylinder, likely lots more work than is worthwhile to get it out

It's too bad You cannot pick the lock & measure the pin height & cut a key and impression the rest of it from there

[Doogs]

How exactly did this lock the steering wheel on the Model T? Was it installed and removed every time a person got in the car, or was the steering wheel removed, this thing installed onto the shaft, then the the steering wheel bolted back into place? Are there any photos or drawings out there?

Thanks,
Squelchtone

Hi Sq what it does is disengage the wheel from the column so it free spins. If you go up and look you can see the dog that locks the wheel to the shaft and it disengages when you turn the key and retracts the dog. fairly simple mechanism unfortunately I don't have a Model T wheel and column for demo purpuses and haven't found anything online showing it in action..

[Squelchtone]

How exactly did this lock the steering wheel on the Model T? Was it installed and removed every time a person got in the car, or was the steering wheel removed, this thing installed onto the shaft, then the the steering wheel bolted back into place? Are there any photos or drawings out there?

Thanks,
Squelchtone

Hi Sq what it does is disengage the wheel from the column so it free spins. If you go up and look you can see the dog that locks the wheel to the shaft and it disengages when you turn the key and retracts the dog. fairly simple mechanism unfortunately I don't have a Model T wheel and column for demo purpuses and haven't found anything online showing it in action..

Thanks for helping me understand it. Hope it is made of strong material so the steering wheel doesnt free spin while driving!

I googled model t steering wheel lock and found this http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29 ... 1172706748

[Doogs]

Unfortunately L244 doesn't pull anything related up for me as far as codes go. I'm really curious about that cylinder now, and how it's held into the lock body.

Myself also 1mrchristopher .it's a 4 pin cylinder which was easy pick'ns. I really wish I could ascertain how the cylinder is secured into the lock body but really don't want to risk damaging it more than it already is (somebody really put a beating on it to remove it from the steering column hence the damage around the cylinder housing) I'll take it with me to work this week and spend some time trying to discern the manufacturing method.

[Doogs]

I googled model t steering wheel lock and found this http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29 ... 1172706748

[/quote]

Interesting find SQ! i didn't know there was more than one manufacturer of steering wheel locks. Of course this means I have to track down a Decker and add it to my collection now as well as a Type 2 Leland. It seems to be of superior construction to the type 1 Leland with the actual gear instead of a dog. That Leland mechanism looks flimsy as all get out.
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