replacing ignition lock cylinder

[hank14]

Anyone have the instructions to do this? I bought a replacement oem cylinder with new keys, but don't know how to remove the old one. My Haynes manual was a little iffy, as usual. Does the steering wheel need to be pulled?

While we're on the subject of repair manuals, why do they make them so vague? Mine covers 20+ years of vehicles, and a bunch of the info is missing.

 

[mouse]

Some of the lock cylinders have a small "button" to depress that will allow it to slide out of tyhe column. You have to remove the steering wheel to get to it. If I remember correctly, the lock plate has to come off too (under the turn signal switch).

 

[mechted]

it is different for different years:
79+ has a single screw that you have to remove to release the cylinder (easy way)
73-78 has a section of metal that has to be broken out (if the cylinder is still OEM) its a small rectangle, about 1/16" wide by about 3/8" tall, at the "back" of the cylinder with that gone, you depress a locking tab on the cylinder and pull it out (be careful with the 78's, mine had a plastic column.... it broke a little more than i would have liked)

either style, you have to pull the wheel (wheel puller makes this easier, but ive seen it done without) then pull the lockplate (tool will make that SO much easier, its worth the $10 or so for a cheapy one) (snap ring pliers also help) then you pull the turn signal switch out of the way and follow appropriate above method to remove old cylinder

heres an article on how to do a complete tear down of a column, so you should be able to figure out what you need to do:
http://www.necoa.org/article95.html

 

[pornorob]

if you don't want to get a lockplate tool you can use a box end wrench and a socket to push it down. Just put the closed end of the wrech on the steering shaft, put the nut on to hold it in place, and then place the socket between the wrench and the locking plate. you just use the wrench as a lever to push in on the plate. It also helps to push on the oppsite side of the plate at the same time, with your hand, to even out the pressure. Then just use a screw driver to pop off the snap ring.

 

[pvfjr]

Hmm, mine fell out and hit me in the knee when I was wheeling Memorial day. I guess that's my anti theft device now, I can pop it out and snap it back in whenever I want.

 

[hank14]

Thanks everyone. Mine's an 89, so I'll be looking for the screw to remove. That is outlined in the Hayne's manual. I just got back from Autozone with a new steering wheel puller. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[hank14]

I finally got around to doing this fairly straightforward repair. I used a steering wheel puller and rented a lock plate remover from Autozone, which made that step much easier. Thanks for your tips.