Any suggestions for Spencer Fatman steering wheel removal?

Post by **ModelTSpeedster** » Tue Apr 25, 2023 9:24 am

I recently picked this up and need to know the secret for removing it from the steering column. The wheel spins freely, so the lock is not engaged. Is the key required to remove the center cover in order to get to the retaining nut?

Post by **ModelTSpeedster** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:03 am

Any ideas?

Post by **speedytinc** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:27 am

Look in that cover cap hole. I expect that plug must be pulled to access the nut.
The question would be is there also a pin or 2 retaining it also.

Post by **Mark Nunn** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:07 am

Look at the patent drawing for patent 1,596,230. It may help to see what's inside the mechanism.

Ratfink56 · Post by **Ratfink56** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:15 am

Someone put a washer in the center instead of a cap. Pry off the washer and the nut is underneath. It will then come off.

Post by **ModelTSpeedster** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 12:12 pm

Thanks for the replies and advice. I will try to pry the center plug out.
Mark, where did you find the patent info? I haven't had any luck searching.

Post by **TRDxB2** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 12:39 pm

ModelTSpeedster wrote: ↑
Tue Apr 25, 2023 9:24 am
I recently picked this up and need to know the secret for removing it from the steering column. The wheel spins freely, so the lock is not engaged. Is the key required to remove the center cover in order to get to the retaining nut?

Good info on the wheel https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... -406140865
"With the pawl engaged, the wheel operates normally. With the pawl retracted, the steering wheel spins without turning the steering shaft or the front wheels, making the car impossible to drive (and harder to steal.) "
Picture of the key

: spenser fatman keys.jpg (31.75 KiB) Viewed 2993 times

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Whats under the center plate. Horn contacts?
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/1 ... 1267560735

: 128048.jpg (26.44 KiB) Viewed 2993 times

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https://fountainheadauto.blogspot.com/2 ... wheel.html

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Post by **Mark Nunn** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 12:49 pm

https://www.freepatentsonline.com/1596230.html

US1596230A.pdf: (252.79 KiB) Downloaded 75 times

Post by **ModelTSpeedster** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 3:39 pm

Many thanks for your help! I will report back to you when I get it removed from the column.

Post by **Harry Lillo** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 5:10 pm

I had a look at two different Spencer Fatman wheels that I have here.
Both have the flat disc with the hole in the centre. I believe it
is part of the design of the wheel. If Spencer made the wheel to freewheel
through the key, I doubt they would allow the security to be defeated by prying off
a small plate. Sorry I can't answer your original question.
Harry

Post by **ModelTSpeedster** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 7:02 pm

Judging from the pictures and the description with the patent information that Mark provided, my best option is to get a key from the Chicago Lock folks and use it to (ultimately) release the cover plate and get to the nut holding it to the column. I have found several possible sources of keys that match the number on this wheel.
I am trying my best not to butcher it. The steering column is the later style that I would like to use on my Faultless speedster project.
Thank you all again for your ideas.

Post by **TFan** » Thu Apr 27, 2023 12:14 am

Randy, If you can get the number off of the face of the tumbler a good old time locksmith should be able to make you a new key, I have done this several times with gumball machines and one locking T steering wheel. Hard to see in the pic but this particular one is #2007. Jim

Post by **ModelTSpeedster** » Thu Apr 27, 2023 9:25 am

The Chicago Lock Company key is #2092 and should be fairly simple to obtain.

Post by **modeltspaz** » Thu Apr 27, 2023 7:59 pm

I know that it's been discussed before, but the best bet when it comes to searching for a knowledgeable person that may not only have a catalog listing Chicago Lock Company serial numbers and codes, but he may have the correct key in stock is, none other than the Mercury Speedster king, Jarvis Erickson.

His main deal is vintage locks and keys. I don't have his info handy, but I believe he lives somewhere in the Pacific North West. I'm sure someone on this forum has his contact info, or you can do a search on his name.

Best of luck.

Scott_Conger · Post by **Scott_Conger** » Thu Apr 27, 2023 8:31 pm

If the code is no longer available for this lock (I'll bet it's available), then any locksmith worth their salt (and a lot of amateur's, too) will pick this in 60 seconds (or less).

There really doesn't need to be a whole lot of drama over this.

Post by **ModelTSpeedster** » Mon May 01, 2023 3:15 pm

Update on the Spencer wheel:
I was able to purchase replacement keys from a company called easykeys and they are a perfect fit. However, they did not make any difference in removing the steering wheel.
Since the horn button is no longer present, I tapped a threaded hole in its place and the center cover came out very easily. A retainer clip surrounding the steering case nut was easy to remove and the the steering wheel was as well.

Post by **ModelTSpeedster** » Mon May 01, 2023 3:17 pm

On another note, on cleanup, I found the name of a previous owner inscribed on one of the spokes, Fred Robert Falck of Lignite, North Dakota. A quick search shows that likely family members still reside in Lignite.