thats sounds like a good idea.... I need to get it out of the place its being stored asap. how is the lock cylinder replaced???
1.)Remove steering wheel. You will need a wheel puller, or harmonic balancer puller. I have gotten one wheel off without a puller before. It was in my friends 83 Buick Regal. It took both of us sitting in the front seat and pulling with all our force (we're both 6'tall 170+lbs). If you do it this way, leave the nut loose on the shaft so that when the wheel breaks free it doesn't smack you in the face.
2.)Depress lockplate to remove snap ring. I've gotten the ring out before without a lock plate depressor, but it's not fun. And there is no way you will get it back in without one. To get it out without the depressor, use a small screwdriver and a pick. Along with a larger screwdriver/prybar. Use the prybar to cock the lockplate then try to work the ring out. It is 100 times easier (and faster) with the propper tool. Note:I have seen an o-ring in place of the snap ring on some columns. If yours has an o-ring....you may be able to melt it out, I don't suggest it though.
3.)Remove the 4-way flasher switch from outside the column. Remove the turn signal switch lever from the switch. Becarfull not to drop the screw down into the column.
4.)Take out the 3 screws holding the turn signal switch to the coulmn (rember, don't drop them). Pull the wires up some to get enough slack to piviot the switch out of the way. You shouldn't need to disconnect the harness at the bottom.
5.)You should see the screw holding the lock cylinder in, remove it and pull the cylinder out.
After you have the cylinder out, the coulmn can be unlocked and the truck can even be started. You will need a pair of pliars to turn the tab. Re-assembly is the reverse of removal.
Like I said, this is 100 times easier and faster with the propper tools. Autozone should be able to rent you the tools if you don't want to buy them.
