Steering wheel doesn't lock.

[trappie]

My wife recently took her 2002 suburban in to get some steering work done and now the steering wheel no longer locks. I am not sure exactly what they did to the vehicle, but previous to this last repair there was a good bit of "popping" when turning. They said they needed to change out some washers to solve the problem. Well there is no more "popping" but the steering wheel doesn't lock. Could this be a problem or is it no big deal?

thanks

[trappie]

My wife called the dealership and told them that after having the work done the steering wheel would no longer lock, and they said "sure it will if your turn it". Well you can turn the steering wheel left or right as far as you won't and it doesn't lock.

What is the purpose of having the steering wheel lock, is it meerly a theft deterent or a safety issue? Since the wheel doesn't lock while in park with the key out is there a danger of it locking while in gear and being driven?

Any thoughts?

Thanks

[Old Dave]

Sounds to me like that didn't hook up something when they put the column back together. Yes, it is designed as a theft deterent device. Every GM vehicle I have ever owned that had the ignition switch on the column, had a locking steering when the key was removed. I would demand that they fix it correctly. I don't know about it locking up when you're driving it, but I sure hope it doesn't until you get it fixed.

[trappie]

Now I really don't know whether the steering wheel is suppose to lock or not. As mentioned above my wife called the dealership where she had the work done and they told here "sure it will lock if you turn the wheel far enough" and yesterday she called another dealership and they told her that the steering wheels on 02 models don't lock.

Is the steering wheel suppose to lock ot not?

[hawaiilifesaver]

the steering wheels do NOT lock.