DIY: Replace dreaded steering-lock on 2009s and early 2010s.

370Z JT

Man. I hope a recall happens soon.

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kenchan

ChrisSlicks

I don't believe Nissan isn't going to do one voluntarily, they are too cheap. Even at cost value it is going to cost them $400-$500 a car times 10,000 cars for just the 09's. That's $4M-$5M! Compare that to 1500 2009 GT-R's which had a much higher margin to start with.

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m4a1mustang

They'll only issue a recall when the cost-benefit shows that $4-5m or so in replacement parts is cheaper than damage to the brand name if the media campaign is successful.

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wstar

They could at least release a TSB saying "Hey this commonly fails due to a defect, check it first in these cases and replace for free if car is under warranty".

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Journal thread / Car setup details

tjlazer

So whats the deal on those new security screws that break off? Are they for anti theft or something? How do you remove it when the hex head is broken off?

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2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

kenchan

You do realize this is a DIY thread. check first page.

370zproject

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tjlazer

Well thats where I saw this mentioned. And I saw you did not use them. Just wanted to understand what they are for and how to remove them when the hex head is broken off. Needle nose pliers?

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2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

370Z JT

Just contacted courtesy parts and they can source the unit for $800+ from Canada for immediate shipment.

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GaleForce

Ooooh.... looks like the price went up...

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wstar

Well, the basic idea is if a thief could quickly remove the steering lock unit from the car, it would be easier to steal (not that I buy into the necessity given the other security features). The factory security screws are supposed to be difficult to remove because you can't get at the heads of them with common tools (but they didn't really make it *that* difficult). The replacement screws have to be something you can install on your own, so they need heads that work with regular tools, so the fix to make them secure after installation is to make the heads break off so that you'd have to remove them the second time with a drill. Again, lovely .

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Journal thread / Car setup details

Thechidz

extortion

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kenchan

capitalism.

kenchan

on the factory installation the hex is already broken off for security reason...it's an anti-theft device. say you have to park your car in a rough neighborhood. with the immobilizer the theif will prefer to just tow your car.

say you were smart and turned the steering wheel all the way right or left with the front end of the car facing a wall or something when you shut your car off. then the theif would have a harder time winching your car up his flat bed or just towing your car with the front wheel on the ground. this is one of the reasons why the car has a steering lock.

angled needle nose pliers is the tool i used to remove. i tried using easy-out and my 90degree duck but mine was too big to fit in there and hard to get leverage to press the bit into the rounded screw head. i also didnt feel like dealing with metal bits and powder inside my car so did not use a rotary tool to cut a slit.