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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
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    Victoria B.C.
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    38
    Country: Canada

    Default VW stick shift lock 1954 cabriolet

    Hi all,
    Just wondering if anyone has experience fitting keys
    to the lock at the base of the gear change lever on a
    1954 Volkswagon Cabriolet? A porche blank fits in.
    Ilco #DM4 and cut a bit shorter. The customer removed it
    from the car and brought it to our shop.
    It has 4 rounded pin tumblers in a push lock type brass cyld.
    After some attempts I can't seem to pick it.
    It doesn't leave good marks for impressioning.
    Does anyone know which way it turns?
    A shim from the front won't go in.

    I'll include a pic later.

    thanks for any help.

    Tom

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
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    714
    Country: United States

    Default VW stick shift lock 1954 cabriolet

    Not sure but maybe have to push the cylinder in to pick the lock. Yes would like to see picture....Timothy....

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Victoria B.C.
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    38
    Country: Canada

    Default

    here's some pics of it stripped down without the
    shifter lever.

    I think it should turn ccw but not sure.
    still haven't been able to pick it.
    there is a spring inside that forces it out and
    it has a chrome cap that goes over the face to
    capture it when the key is turned.
    I think it's basically a push lock with a round shaft
    on the locking end.

    I think the operation would be:

    from unlocked-- insert key, turn key and push key & lock cyld in
    and hold in while turning the key back to insert position
    and then pull the key out with the lock cyld remaining recessed the
    distance you pushed it in. The key will need to have a long enough neck.

    from locked: insert key and turn it. lock cyld & key will
    pop out under spring pressure. turn key to removal position.

    Thanks for any help.
    Tom
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_20170308_165517.jpg   IMG_20170308_165534.jpg   IMG_20170308_165556.jpg  

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Posts
    714
    Country: United States

    Default VW stick shift lock 1954 cabriolet

    It there anyway to get the cylinder out..??.. It may help of what you looking at.....Timothy......

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Devon UK
    Posts
    3,117
    Country: UK

    Default

    Try steve@steveslockshop.com
    He does a lot of old VW's
    Cheers
    Tom

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Victoria B.C.
    Posts
    38
    Country: Canada

    Default

    Thanks very much for that lead Tom.
    I sent him an email with pic.
    Hopefully he can tell me which way it turns.

    Tom

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Victoria B.C.
    Posts
    38
    Country: Canada

    Default

    just an update.

    I was finally able to fit a key, but it was a bit of a butcher job.

    I had to drill holes in the underside to determine which way
    it turned. CCW.

    It had 5 pins tumblers not 4. all the pins were dead flat on the bottom
    so no wonder it wouldn't mark for impressioning.

    there was a collapsed spring.

    I tried an electric pick but that didn't work.

    finally had to mount it to a wood block so I could hold it in the
    milling machine vise. milled the front face at the shearline so I
    could shim it. didn't work so well ...shim got stuck...was able to pick it.

    finally got it apart and created a key....phew what a battle.

    not pretty but the chrome cap covers most of the damage.
    I t works pretty much the way I figured.
    the local VW repair shops were no help in telling me what way the key
    turned...all said clockwise.

    Had to fit a key to the glove box as well...easier.

    Tom
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_20170328_153914.jpg   IMG_20170328_150251.jpg   IMG_20170328_150501.jpg   IMG_20170328_154125.jpg   IMG_20170328_150356.jpg  


  8. #8
    Huw Eastwood's Avatar
    Huw Eastwood is offline
    Moderator
    Safes Strongrooms & Vaults
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
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    1,753
    Country: Wales

    Default

    Well done Tom, perseverance pays off and the fact you had to drill a couple of holes to confirm rotation and tried milling the front to shim it, doesn't make it a bad job imho. To me thats ingenuity and thinking around the problem, so many others would have given up when it wouldnt pick, impression or shim etc. Job well done I'd say.

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