Fakser

Does anyone know how to remove the ignition tumbler from the column? I didn't gather much from the assembly manual.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thank you

henryk8398

How far have you torn into the column? Removed the lock plate yet?

Allan R

The info on tearing down the column is in the CSM, not the Assembly manual.

http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/membe...Section_9E.pdf

MDchanic

That's because that is not the sort of information contained in the Assembly Manual. Try the Chassis Service Manual.

The tumblers are not easily removable from the cylinder. I'm sure it could be done, but you'd have to uncrimp things not designed to be uncrimped, at the very least.

If you mean removing the cylinder from the column, then it's easy:

• Remove steering wheel,
• Remove steering lock plate (easier with a $14 tool, but can be done with an awl and a couple of small screwdrivers),
• Remove signal light lever,
• Remove signal light switch,
• Insert standard screwdriver into release slot, press, and pull out cylinder.

Locating the release slot is about a thousand times easier if you've got a spare cylinder lying around, so you can see where the retaining tang is and how it's shaped.



- Eric

Fakser

I haven't even removed the steering wheel I'm doing my homework because this is one piece I have no experience on

Highwayman

Eric, I think you want to also pull out the key buzzer switch before pulling the lock cylinder.



Now I'll put the can of worms on the table. Fakser, do you have a tilt column? If so, is the tilt part still tight? Those things have a habit of getting loose. It's a simple fix and when you're down to the cylinder lock you're halfway there.

MDchanic

I don't think so, but It's been over a year since the last time I did it, so I could be wrong.

- Eric

Highwayman

I mostly remember breaking one because I didn't hold my mouth right.

Fakser

Thanks guys I appreciate the info Im going to work on this one Monday I'm out of town with the wife but great info. Is that tool something that can be a local purchase or something that needs to be bought online?
It's not a tilt column, I'll take pictures while I do this for the next guy with this question.

Highwayman

You should be able to find the tools at any auto parts store. You'll need a small 2 bolt puller for the steering wheel and the lock plate tool. I have a set from Harbor Freight with both because the good lock plate tool I had was lent out and didn't find it's way back. It isn't the greatest quality stuff, but it will get the job done.


http://www.harborfreight.com/steerin...set-42031.html

Tony72Cutlass'S'

PLEASE take pictures (especially of the release tab).

I need to fix my switch.

When i turn the ignition key to START. It doesnt want to spring back into RUN position. I guess a spring snapped or is missing....

anyone seen this before??

MDchanic

If I recall, the spring is in the switch, no the column.

I've had a lot of GM cars over the years and never encountered a car with the lock / column / rod mechanism tight or binding.

You may need a new switch.

- Eric

Tony72Cutlass'S'

The previous owner got the car "Re-keyed" i suspect he screwed something up when he did. Just because he's messed up everything else he touched.

So the tumbler/switch is one unit that i just replace as a whole, right?

MDchanic

The cylinder (which is the part that you re-key) is what you put the key into.

The switch (which he shouldn't have touched) is at the bottom of the column, on the top surface.

If the PO messed with the cylinder, then maybe he just put something in wrong and it will loosen up when you take it out and play with it.

- Eric

Highwayman

I've seen the linkage lock up on a tilt column. There's a piece in the upper housing with gear teeth that the cylinder gear engages. The bottom end has an elongated loop where it hooks to the link in the lower housing to allow the linkage to flex when the column is tilted. It's a pot metal piece that breaks and binds up the whole mess. I changed several back in the eighties on my cars and for a few coworkers. Once I did one in the company parking lot because the car was going no where without a tow truck.


This is only a problem with tilt columns. My theory is the part gets banged when folks pull the tilt lever and allow the wheel to snap up. Check in the first picture for the part on the blue shop towel. If you ever get into a tilt column that far, go a step farther. There's four bolts that hold the bottom together that should be coated with threadlocker and re-torqued. They come loose and the hinge part of the column gets sloppy.

Allan R

Are you the one who did the web video to fix sloppy tilt steering columns? It was a great how to that clearly showed logical sequential teardown and rebuild. On a Chevy Blazer or Silverado IIRC.

Highwayman

No, I didn't make it but I do remember posting it somewhere. There are several on YouTube, just search for GM steering column. I reviewed several last year before tearing into my GMC because it had been many years since I was into a column and they have changed a few things since then.

The good news for Fakser is he doesn't have a tilt column and won't have to worry about this stuff.

MDchanic

Yeah... I was gonna mention that .

- Eric

Allan R

I thought I saw it too. Maybe it was for autoeditor and his Custom Cruiser..

Hey, guess what? I got a tilt column.....but it's nice and tight.

Kennybill

So, did you get the ignition cylinder(tumbler) out? I have changed two, first was a pain in the ****. The CSM explains it but the picture could be better. In both columns the place where I needed to put a thin bladed screwdriver was sealed over ( thin flashing). The post with the screw hole has a flat side facing the center of the column. Follow the flat down, using the thin blade push on the floor (flashing). This will open a slot. While incerting the blade turn it so it's angled to be able to "catch" the locking slot sticking up out of the tumbler. Light pressure pulling out, pushing down on screwdriver, both times cylinder came out fot me. Hope this helps. Ken