How to Dissasemble Datsun 510 Ignition switch and rekey

[D52E]

Not sure if this is the best way to do this but this is the way I chose to do it. As most of you may know, the ignition switches on our Datsuns are over 40 years old and many of them turn with just about any key. I chose to disassemble mine to re-key it along with some door locks. The goal is to make all the locks work with one key. My first acquisition was a Datsun/Subaru re-key kit from eBay:

 

I started by removing the ignition switch assembly and removing the face cap:

 

I then lifted the black plastic ring that holds the steering column lock lever inside the assembly. This was required in order to remove the black electrical switch on the side.

 

 

The next step was to remove the metal pin that secures the lock cylinder portion. I chose to drill a hole in the lock cylinder to access the pin from the back side and push it out. This was possible after removing the black plastic switch on the side.

 

After removing the pin holding it together I pulled it apart and removed the steering lock lever with black plastic ring. A word of caution, there is a small spring that comes out with the lock cylinder. Make sure you don't lose it.

 

The key cylinder and tumblers are held together by a little brass wafer that can be pushed in to let the key cylinder slide out.

 

 

After you slide the key cylinder out you can get to the tumblers. These are little brass inserts that are coded 1 to 4 depending on the key code. You change these out until you get the correct combination that results in flush tumblers with the key inserted.

 

Without key:

Key inserted:

 

Here is a sample of one of the tumblers coming out

[thumper]

Awesome. I was thinking about doing this just a few days ago. Time to look for a kit on ebay.

 

Thanks

[Eagle_Adam]

great write up!

[D52E]

Next was the key cylinders. I started with a sample piece to avoid ruining one of my 510 pieces.

 

 

First step was to remove the bracket on the back side of the key cylinder - it's held in with a c-clip. Second - gently pry the back side of the face cap lip. and then remove the face cap:

 

 

Remove the internal key cylinder and change tumbles as done previously for ignition switch:

 

Reassembly is done in reverse. A word of caution - be gentle with the face cap installation. Take your time rolling the lip back over the outer edge.

[oakespreformance]

would it be the same for a 240z's switch looks about the same

[ggzilla]

Did you fit a new key? Because usually only the key is worn. You can either get a code-cut key (which will match the doors), or buy a new key and rekey the lock. A code-cut key is about $40.

[D52E]

oakesperformance - I'm not sure if a 240Z is exactly the same but the ignition switch assembly in the pictures was taken from a 1978 280Z at the junkyard.  My 1970 510 originally had the single side cut keys and I wanted to put together a double side cut key set together.

 

ggzilla - I did happen to purchase a new ignition lock key cylinder after the first attempt.  it worked out better since it came with a new cut key that I used to re-key all my locks.  Its great having one key that fits every lock.  Before I had 4 different keys (ignition, doors, trunk, fuel).

 

Note - If you are at the junkyard looking for an ignition switch donor vehicle (240Z 260Z 280Z 510) be sure to measure the steering column diameter where the switch bolts on.  The first one i purchased was not the correct size for my 510.

Edited January 9, 2013 by D52E

[oakespreformance]

if it came off a 280 they are the same i believe

[oakespreformance]

how did you get the tumblers out

[D52E]

I just used a tool similar to a dentist pick to pry them out.  On the tumblers/wafferson there is going to be a little bit of resistance from the little tangs  that press on the springs but they do pull out

 

Here is a sample of one of the tumblers coming out

[oakespreformance]

thanks helped a bunch that is the sama as a 240z switch

[dakotahchore]

Find myself hunting for one of those rekeying sets... any sources? 

[Camtron]

http://d1086208-345.site.myhosting.com/auta16100-01-1575.html

 

Kinda spendy, but this is all I've found.

I've had an alert for this kit set up on eBay since I read this how-to and still haven't seen one come up. Might hafta bite the bullet and pay. I've thought about offering rekeying services to try to offset the price, but it would be tough to do by mail. People would be lockless for several days.

A dude could make a killing at Canby or other Datsun shows/meet-ups. One of you west coasters oughta think about it :thumbup:

[dakotahchore]

http://orders.stoneandberg.com/advancedwebpage.aspx?cg=189&cd=4&WebID=2306&SKU=2306&SKUFLD=SKU&SKUTYPE=202

How's this look? Same model number as the one in original post. 

[HKS]

Looked high and low for a company that sells the ASP A16-100 to the general public. looks like you can buy from  the majority of these sites only if your a certified locksmith. Anyone else have any luck?