"...You can remove the lock assembly from the adapter by removing the set screw and use the whole lock assembly without pulling the steering column support bracket from your car...."

Hi, Eric,

I assume you are talking about the set screw that keeps the lock assembly firmly attached to the outer column tube. I'm not sure what you mean by "adapter".

I have the entire dash and steering column tube out of the car so I'm looking at a major reassembly task. My plan was to take another old dash I have (no upper part on it - open on the top) and temporarily use it to:

a.) Assist me in cleaning up the wire routing and get it all routed and tie-wrapped in the correct location for each respective gauge or switch. Then....

b.) Use it as a test bed in which to temporarily mount the gauges and verify that they function properly. I have a total of three entire sets of gauges so I'm hoping to be able to make up at least one good working set, including the "daisy chain" illumination circuit.

Anyway, I wish I would have shot more pics of "strap-one" type lock assembly. You can see, in the pic, that it is tightened down on the column tube with a single snap head bolt. If I were to drill the head off that bolt, the strap part will just swing out and unhook at it's other end (not visible in the pic). So it would be real nice to use that one when reassembling as the lock assembly wouldn't have to go into the car until AFTER the dash is all in place. And it would be easier to remove later if need be. The other style (with the set screw) will have to be slipped onto the column tube BEFORE the dash goes in - one more thing to remember, duh.

So the prior owner had the strap type lock installed without the strap. He used a muffler clamp to secure it to the column. Real nice!! He also had a Volkswagen key in it. I can see where he had drilled the tumbler retainer pin out and re-inserted one, so I assume it's a Volks tumbler also. I now feel empowered to swap the tumbler if I end up using that lock assembly.

So the biggest question I have in my mind is what is the correct configuration for 1973 - strap-on or slip-on? (I have to remind myself this is a family friendly forum.) My data says Volvo had locking steering on the 1800 starting in 1970. I'm guessing they started with P/N 682656 (slip-on) and at some point switched to P/N 1212291 (strap on). Since my car was built about 200 units from the end of the 1973 production run - I think my car was built the day they got their layoff notices - can I assume I'm good to go with P/N 1212291, the larger of the two P/N's?