Ignition Switch Removal

Did you try Pantera Place? http://www.panteraplace.com/page125.htm

You have to remove this like you would remove a riveted on ball join. You drill a hole through the middle with something like a 3/16 or a 1/4" diameter drill and take a cold chisel and chop off the rivet head.
This is a "tamper proof" installation on the later cars. Earlier cars has "one way screws".
You can probably step up the size of the drill bit also until the head falls off.
As I rember, the heads are hinda' thick. Take the entire column out and do it in a vise on the bench.

It appears to be the earlier Mercury Capri design, where the head shears off after proper torque is applied. It CAN be removed by using a nail set punch and a ball peen hammer. Set the punch at approximately a 45 degree angle on the edge of the head, positioning the punch so that as you hammer on it, the screw would be driven counter-clockwise. The head IS soft enough that the edge of the punch will dig in and allow you to "push" the screw to unscrew it.....

Rick "Had A Bazillion Capris Before His Pantera" PanteraHunter

.....Another way that also works is to drill a hole in the head and use an "Easy-Out" to unscrew it.....


Rick

Here's a photo of what you are dealing with.

Drill center hole and easy out, as Rick just wrote.

Sloting the head with a Dremel cut off disk and unscrewing will leave you with a more usable bolt.

And yup, early Mark I pre-face lift Capri column

Larry

Great post. The removal of the the switch was described on The Pantera Place, but had no pictures. This is in my near future and these pictures and comments really help.
Thanks,
John

Larry,

Is that the new carpeting for your car? Interesting......

John

quote:

Originally posted by LF - TP 2511:
Here's a photo of what you are dealing with.

Drill center hole and easy out, as Rick just wrote.

Sloting the head with a Dremel cut off disk and unscrewing will leave you with a more usable bolt.

And yup, early Mark I pre-face lift Capri column

Larry

Thanks for the picture Larry, I never saw one of these bolts.

Thanks for all the help guys! I ended up cutting a slot in the head and unscrewing it. It came out really easy. One of the few easy things that this car gave up!