The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Ignition switch removal

I'm pretty sure this question has been asked before but couldn't come up with anything when I did a search. Question is: How do you remove the ignition switch and lock from the steering column? This is in a rod and I'm not sure what year it is, but probably 70's vintage. Thanks, Don

Are you trying to repair what's there, or eliminate it altogether? The switch assembly is down about halfway to the floorboard, on top of the column. There's a round rod from the column lock cylinder to the switch assembly. To remove the lock, you have to pull the steering wheel, use a special hold-down clamp on the steering wheel lock plate to remove a lock ring, and then remove the turn signal switch assembly. Early lock cylinders had a spring-loaded tab that could be pushed down to release the lock cylinder, while later models had a hardened steel bolt with a Phillips or Torx-head screw retaining the lock tumbler. The spring latch on the first-model lock columns is sometimes concealed under a thin flashing left over when the diecast lock housing was made, and has to be probed for with a thin-bladed screwdriver.
Jerry

Jerry, I am trying to remove the cylinder lock assembly to clean it up and repair it if possible. When I turn the key to the spring loaded start position it wants to stay in that position rather than return. Also want to replace the turn signal handle if I can get the plastic material surrounding the steering column off.

Thanks for your reply, Don

The lock cylinder has a bad habit of getting gunked-up and sticking. If it's had much use, you're probably money ahead to replace it while you've got the column dismantled. Just about any good parts store will have a replacement cylinder in stock, with keys.
Jerry