do STEERING wheel locks work and can they damage the steering?

[ler]

Are they a good deterrant?

Im concerned that the weight or if you put it on too tight it might damage the steering?

[Falcon_Phill]

Too tightly? You can have it on semi loose and still not be able to take it off. The only way i can see it hurting is if you decide to drive with it still on. Also the day my car got stolen was the only day i didnt have the steer lock on, so yeh id say its a good deterrent.

Cut the steering wheel with a hack saw and slide it through.

[Unco]

are you talking about a club lock or the self locking mechanism inside the steering column?

[Dezza]

I use a Club lock in high risk areas. They are simply a deterrent. They wouldn't be hard to break off, but with there being a bit more of a hassle for the thief, they may not bother and go for a slightly easier target.

[Bill_R]

Visual deterrent. It isn't that hard to get off but won't hurt putting one on. If a thief has the choice between two similar cars and one has a steering lock he might go for the other one.

[FPV GT]

They are a definant deterrant, and most thieves will move onto an easier target.
Untill I bought a reputable brand, I used to apply mine upside down. (the longer section that is supposed to butt against the windscreen, I placed it facing down) The cheaper versions are able to be bent ( I have seen this), whereas with the longer section down, there is less of a chance of getting levarage on it.

Regards
Paul

[ler]

Ive suggested getting a wheel lock to some people I know. Anyone got tips to convince them of the benefits or just let them suffer. It's not like these people are short of time. You have to do all sorts of other checks lilke your park brake is on,etc. i dont see the big effort of putting on a wheel lock.

[sexr6tasy]

Haha convince them of the benefits if they cant see the benefits already then they deserve to have there car stolen.

[silicon]

They can still steal it with it on but as stated above they may move onto an easier target. I have always thought if there is two similar cars in the car park they are after; yours might be still there with the steering lock.

[ler]

The logic makes complete sense to me. Also Ive heard/read having an outrageous design works. Like why lock your doors someone will just break the lock anyway. I suppose having a rainbow coloured car thieves might not steal it because it will be noticed more.

[LTDHO]

Good until you loose the key in a shopping centre, good for the crim with a hacksaw.

[GXL078]

Apparently, they are harder to get off if you put them on with the lock facing the dash. Well they are cerntainly harder to unlock that way. But this information came from a criminal paid to do a story for A Current Affair, so who knows if it's true or not.

A side story: I have two sets of keys for my Ford and only one has the club lock key on them. Guess which set I took to the shops one night and guess who had to get a taxi home and back to get the right set, lol.

[Bill_R]

Originally Posted by xcgxl

Apparently, they are harder to get off if you put them on with the lock facing the dash. .

that's the way I do it.

[ler]

what's the reason for the cross shaped keys?

[GXL078]

Originally Posted by ler

what's the reason for the cross shaped keys?

so you can't force a normal key or screwdriver into the lock? My Club lock is years old and it has a cylindrical key with 3 craters in it.

[mcflux]

Another good deterrent is a clutch lock for manual cars (a prop that's locked into place under the clutch pedal, makes it impossible to drive the car). Another one -for autos- is some kind of padlock with a looooong shackle that keeps the car in Park (when locked onto something else to stop the auto T-bar being able to be moved).

[ler]

just like that for lock facing the dash?

Also do you think it makes a difference which end the long end goes on ? I suppose the long end down would make it harder to sit there and and try to undo it or the long end up makes it more visible.

[pertuan]

Doesnt make a difference which end goes where. In some cars however, you can jam the long end into the A pillar making it impossible to turn the wheel. Either way the long end goes, it will prevent the car from doing sharp turns if its kept on.

I believe having the lock facing the dash is the recommended method for cars with airbags. I think I read that in the "manual" for a club lock.

[sexr6tasy]

In cars with airbags the idea is to put the club lock straight vertical on the top space above the airbag so as not to be infront of the airbag i assume incase it deploys but i put mine with the big end facing downwards and to the left as im assuming my ford is well made enough to not have the airbag go off for no reason :p