Stolen VN problems

[xss001]

Looking for some advice on the best way to fix a few problems on my VN which was stolen and didn't have fire and theft cover.

It was recovered next day but.....

Problems:-
1. Drivers door lock (Connector broken off the back of the lock..easy fix now I have the door trim off and the lock out)
2. Smashed rear qtr window. (need to get a replacement plus rubber seal but not sure how to fit the new one) Has anyone done one of these?
3. Ignition lock has been butched with a screw driver...cannot get the lock out as it will not turn ....another thread suggested just drill it out.
4. Ignition switch has been broken off the lock...easy fix..just buy a replacement switch or glue back on the ignition lock
5. Butched steering lock... It was obviously forced and now binds pretty bad.. barely able to turn it so not driveable. Need advice on best option... eg cut off the ignition lock clamp with grinder.
or drill out the headless bolt to release clamp
remove steering column
and hope I can get a replacement plus keys.
Otherwise everthing else looks ok...no water in oil or vice versa. Simmonds Alloys still on the car along with tread on the tyres. They took the lock nut socket which was bit strange. Head unit speakers etc ok but they stashed the head unit dash panel between the seats so may were coming back to do the rest later!!. Bloody lucky really.

Appreciate any advice on the ignition/ steering lock or column removal.
Assume wreckers will have the bits.

[mouce]

Sorry to hear about the car being flogged, hurts doesn't it?

The rear quarter window is a whore of a job. And that's being nice about it. To fit it you'll need to actually take out the back seat, the parcel shelf, unbolt the seatbelt top swivel bit and VERY gently ease the plastic shrowd away from the inside of the window, there are three nuts (PLASTIC!?!) along the top edge of the window, you'll need very thin figers to get to them, from memory they are 8mm nuts, once you get those undone, then you'll need to unscrew it from the c-pillar (easy) and slide the plastic cover off the bottom of the window (on the outside). Pop the new one in with a healthy bead of silicone all the way around where the foam seal was otherwise it'll leak like a sieve. If you want any more details I can PM you, it's quite a read.

If the ignition lock is dead, then drilling may work, but might take a while, since it's been mashed with a screwdriver, why not just do the same thing? Get a screw driver and a big hammer, smash the screwdriver into the slot where the key should go and you should be able to turn it, thus you should be able to remove the barrel.

The steering lock is part of the column from what I know, so maybe getting your hands on a second hand steering column would be a good thing to do, may even be able to get a full set of locks for the car (or perhaps just a new ignition barrel, that would be a really good security measure, have one key to open the door and another to start the car).

Glad there wasn't too much damage, and by the sounds of it you were lucky that they didn't take things like the head unit.

[KB3800]

sorry to hear you got hit by the mongrel patrol! mouce has covered most points well but id be careful of the missing wheel nut lock. its not uncommon for them to pay a visit and have another bite at the pie so to speak.
best of luck with the repairs.

[VN-88]

if u need it, ive got a spair steering collum and ignition barrel, i can get the key cut too, ill also have a rear quter pannel window too, if i can bothered taking it out, if u need any parts let me know

[VN-88]

oh hang on, i didnt look, u got a vx so no good i am to u

[VN-88]

or do u, hmm well if its a vn i got the parts

[CSL]

yeah my advice is get some new lock nuts with a diff patern, because they now have a key to thse simmonds, and as apart from that i hope shit goes back together for you alright

[Jamie_87]

when my vp wagon got stolen, i had the exact same amount of damage done to it, i needed a new ignition($60 from wrekers with key), new quarter window(2hrs to put in properly) new radiator, new dash surround and new door trim etc. With my ignition tho, i replaced the broken parts with the good parts(whole shroud was pretty F%!kd tho) and i fixed it up and could still use my original key and it took me ages to fix the door lock as they stuffd the deadlock, but i eventually fixed it. But ill tell u now the car was never the same again , allways felt differnt, i think they must have really thrashed it while they had it and i didnt have fire n theft cover on that either, so i feel ur pain , not to mention not being able to get sleep as every noise u think sum1 is stealing the car, oh and they also stole my hsv rims and my compliance plates, so hard to convince holden to give me a letter of compliance, 2months to get it!

[commy92]

i got a steering column and a set of rear quarter windows that were taken out of a vs if your interested. pm me. Michael (sunshine coast)

[AlpineRaven]

Is yours a sedan or wagon?

If its a wagon, I have whole locks (rear, doors and ignition locks) if ya want.
cheers
AP

[slimman]

To remove the shear bolt (headless bolt) just get a screw driver and a hammer and put the screwdriver on the edge of the bolt and hammer it so it starts to turn (anti-clockwise) and then repeat till it comes out. the 'cheap' and easy way to replace bolt it to place the old bolt in a vice and saw (with hacksaw) a slot so you can screw it back in with a flat head screwdriver!

I don't know where your from but Oakliegh (vic) locksmiths will reco the barrel with new key cut for around $120, better than a second hand one with non matching key (for other locks)! most prof. locksmiths should be able to do this for you.

[VN-88]

mines sedan, dont no if it will help??

[xss001]

Thanks guys for all the advice..restores my faith in humanity.

Thanks also for the offer of parts. Its a 89 VN Berlina sedan (I have a VX SS also in a case I confused you). I am based in S/E suburbs of Melb so will see what I can find at the local wreckers.

Tried to get the column out but can't free up the clamp through the fire wall. The advice on removing the headless bolt sounds ok so will try that now I have the column lowered enough to get at it.

Fixed the door lock. Found the broken plastic bits in the bottom of the door and patched with a soldering iron and it works ok. Just need to put it back in the door etc.

The window sounds like a mongrel of a job but will give it go.

Will go to wreckers next weekend and see if I can get the bits. Then I find out what it drives like. Suspect Jamie 87 may be right. It will never be the same.

Thanks again.

[xss001]

Some success....
Steering lock/ignition switch replaced ok with bits from the wreckers. (Center punched the headless bolt). Pretty easy really. Steering lock was completely destroyed so must been a ex wrestler who stole it.
Rear quarter window (door not pillar) was straight forward once we got the door trim off.
Drivers door also fixed ok.
Engine and Transmission seem ok but time may tell.
Back on the road until the next time...

[mouce]

Glad to hear that you have it back on the road finally. Let's hope that it doesn't happen again.