Rattle noise from ignition/steering lock

[Nessism]

Been pulling my hair out trying to find the source of a rattle noise from the IP area on my 850 - harmonic vibration at about 2500 rpm.](*,) After countless hours, and many beers, finally figured out the steering lock post (chunk of metal that sticks out when the ignition key is turned to Lock) is vibrating in the ignition housing.

Has anyone ever torn apart an ignition lock before, and if so, how did you do it? Looks to be a small roll pin holding the lock tumbler in place but don't want to go hammering on the thing. Thinking about getting some heavy grease around that post, or better yet, some sort of shim to limit the clearance.

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.[-o<

[BassCliff]

Sympathetic vibrations

Hi Mr. Nessism,

That's interesting. Mine seems to have developed an intermittent new rattle as of late. Your description is very similar as mine is coming from the same area. I'll take a closer look. Thanks.

The "vanity" fork brace was buzzing for a while until I squirted it with some silicone.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Nessism]

Wound up squirting some grease into the lower portion of the lock. Rattle is gone for now but not too excited about that fix since the grease may run out and on top the electrical portion of the ignition switch.

Thought about trying to pinch the ignition housing to reduce the clearance around the steering lock post but chickened out; don't want to crack the housing. Housing itself looks like zinc. Anyone know how ductile zinc is? I think not so much but not sure.

[JayH]

Try some Permatex RTV sealant around the lock pin. That should keep it from rattling and won't melt.

[Nessism]

Try some Permatex RTV sealant around the lock pin. That should keep it from rattling and won't melt.

Don't think there is any way to get RTV down into the clearance between the housing and the lock pin. And if you could, I think the sealer would glue the pin down and keep it from moving.

Think I'm going to try to get a little strip of shim stock down into the clearance. Might be able to bend the shim into an L shape and glue it in place on the outside with some JB Weld. Another option is take a blunt nosed chisel and peen the edge of the housing over to pinch down on the post and reduce the clearance. Wish I had a spare lock to play around with first though - don't want to damage the one I have.

[tkent02]

I have an old dead one I can experiment on for you, but it will have to wait a few days until I get home.