Ford troubles today

[70jimmy]

Rant on Chilton's manual:
My kid calls me today and says he cant get the mighty turd exploder to start, says the key wont turn and that he had trouble with it this morning. So I get there and its like the outside of the lock cylinder wants to turn but the key doesn't move so I fiddle with it and get it started.

So on the way home from work I stop and grab a new ignition lock cylinder assembly for $55.00.

I check the chiltons manual it says disconnect neg batt cable, remove steering wheel, remove tilt lever, remove steering column collar, remove instrument panel trim cover, remove steering column shroud, move shift lever as needed then turn lock to on push down lock cylinder retaining pin take out cylinder and replace.

So I am thinking sounds like a lot of work. So I call a mechanic friend, he says nope just tilt wheel up put small round metal rod in the right place to push the pin while switch in park and bang throw the new one in.

So i end up taking 2 screws out and one trim piece and then get the cylinder swapped out. Put back together in about 10 minutes. If I followed the manual I probably wouldn't be done until tomorrow and this is a repair manual????????

 

[Jason4x4]

Yea, but you coulda made it 5, there is an access hole in the plastic trim around the column, just turn key to on, push pin, remove cylinder.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Yep, there are tons of manuals out there that tell you to take apart a lot more than you really need to.

I've pretty much stopped looking at them altogether

 

[apache]

Yabuttttttttt,each manual is based on a complete tear down and rebuild unless you actually need to do something like ummm wheel bearings, then they say its over your head and go see a mechanic.

 

[toomany]

Yep, there are tons of manuals out there that tell you to take apart a lot more than you really need to.

I've pretty much stopped looking at them altogether

X2.
I usually only use them for the pictures when I go to re-assemble. Thats only if I forget how it came appart, which never happens.

 

[Thunder]

Who needs stupid manuals when you have the internet?
Totally amazing what a search engine will do.
And then there always message boards..........