2000 Nissan Xterra Steering Wheel.

[JuarezSB]

My Xterra is giving me a headache,

My steering wheel is completely locked into place, I already tried everything. Wiggling it around to try and find the sweet spot and no luck.

I even tried the bypass that's next to the gear shifter and no luck.

Has anyone had this problem and possible have a solution? or would I have to replace the whole steering column or is it simply the locking pin that's stuck. Need some answers to get my Baby up and running again! Any input would be appreciated thanks!

 

[Creepy Cruiser]

Try turning the steering wheel really hard in one direction before turning the key. If that doesn't work, try doing the same thing the other direction, and it should enable it to unlock. Sometime the pressure on the lock pin holds it in place. Let us know.

 

[JuarezSB]

Thanks for the reply man, I didn't have any luck yet! So I started researching and it turns out I'm going have to replace the lock cylinder. It's an easy job, but the hardest is removing the bolts that are on top of the cylinder. Which should be easy if you have a drill bit. Here are some helpful links in case anything like this happens to my fellow Xterrians!

REMOVING LOCK CYLINDER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwrgru6JHPQ

INSTALING LOC CYLINDER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebEcHFc1_TA

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

I wouldn't turn the wheel hard. Normally I lean on it while wiggling it back and forth lightly and give just a bit of pressure on the key. My Xterra doesn't do it, but my old Mx-3 and my parents 626 did it. My dad came in one day all pissed cause he couldn't start the car. I had so gotten used to it that it didn't bother me. I guess it was a while that my dad didn't drive it, haha.