'98 Silverado - 5.0.

Hey all. Looks like I have a bad ignition cylinder. I've already had it apart and springs had popped out of it. Put it back together and it was good for about a week.

Now, I put the key in and it won't turn at all, and the steering wheel is locked as well. Looks like it's time for a replacement. However, since I can't turn the key, it makes it difficult to remove the cylinder so what's best way to remove the cylinder without destroying anything else?

On a related note - does the fact that the steering wheel is locked pose any particular problems?

 

well first the best way to remove the lock cylinder is..........well ok you got me im lost but really you can "hit" the tumbler pins with a drill bit to effectivly "eliminate" the need for the key and hopefully disabling the lock feature then you would remove the cylinder as normal....this is ALL theory its been a LONG time since Ive run into this problem....Id go look at mine but Ive got a bathroom to finish remodeling...........

 

Update - I put the key in this morning, put a crescent wrench on it and gave it a twist - not too much force, but more than I could have done by hand - and the key turned and the steering wheel released. Now that the key turns I was able to remove it by normal procedure (turn to Start, push the release with a pin, etc) and it looks worn a bit and since I'm tired of dicking with it I'm gonna order a new one. I went to Checker (OReilly's west coast version) - they don't stock it, online order only - which is easy enough.

I began the morning ready to pull the steering wheel (bought a puller... $20) but since I couldn't turn the wheel it made access to the horn button/airbag assy nearly impossible. I got lucky that the key popped loose.

So... I'm going to have to make sure I don't lock the steering wheel when I park, and if I DO... I'm keeping the crescent wheel in the center console