How to Replace Ignition Lock
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Salem Oregon
I've done it and it's not to hard. You'll need to pull the steering wheel and some of the column guts. A thin bladed screw driver is needed to push a release tab inside the column and the whole unit comes out of the column, as a key would. This is an over simplification of the process, but it's the way I did it on my '69. I would think your '72 is the same. If I'm wrong, someone will let you know. Check any good manual, should give better directions. I would say if you've never torn into the column before, give yourself at least 2 or 3 hours.
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by Fstdraw
I've done it and it's not to hard. You'll need to pull the steering wheel and some of the column guts. A thin bladed screw driver is needed to push a release tab inside the column and the whole unit comes out of the column, as a key would. This is an over simplification of the process, but it's the way I did it on my '69. I would think your '72 is the same. If I'm wrong, someone will let you know. Check any good manual, should give better directions. I would say if you've never torn into the column before, give yourself at least 2 or 3 hours.
Thats exactly how it is done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Here's a picture of the slot referred to by others (it's just above the pin with the tape on it). You may not need to strip the column to this stage to get at the slot. Turn the key until you can see the tab in the slot then push down on it with a small screw driver and the lock will pull out. Also, here's a link to Jim Shea's step-by-step on lock removal.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...&R1-05JA06.doc
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...&R1-05JA06.doc
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
You didn't mention if you had a standard (non-adjustable) steering column or a tilt & telescoping column. The link sited above takes you to the standard column disassembly and repair paper.
The ignition lock cylinders are the same. However, the disassembly of the upper end of the T&T steering column is a bit different from the standard column. Here is the link to the T&T column just in case that is the column that you have.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...&R1-30MY06.doc
BTW, there are a couple of other papers posted at the www.corvettefaq.com websight that might be of help. Once at the sight click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
Then click on Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down to either the Std Strg Column or to the Tilt & Telescoping Column sections.
There will be a download labeled Disassembly & Repair Pics#1 that also will help explain the disassembly procedure. There will also be another paper on the Steering Wheel and Horn Parts for your particular steering system.
Good luck,
Jim
The ignition lock cylinders are the same. However, the disassembly of the upper end of the T&T steering column is a bit different from the standard column. Here is the link to the T&T column just in case that is the column that you have.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...&R1-30MY06.doc
BTW, there are a couple of other papers posted at the www.corvettefaq.com websight that might be of help. Once at the sight click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
Then click on Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down to either the Std Strg Column or to the Tilt & Telescoping Column sections.
There will be a download labeled Disassembly & Repair Pics#1 that also will help explain the disassembly procedure. There will also be another paper on the Steering Wheel and Horn Parts for your particular steering system.
Good luck,
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
One word of caution. The above picture is very sharp and clear. However, it is backward! In other words you are looking at a mirror image of the lock cylinder housing.
Anyway, the slot that you want to use to unlatch the lock cylinder is the long narrow one closest to the tapped boss. It is NOT the slot next to it that is closest to the pin with the blue stuff wrapped around it.
Jim
Anyway, the slot that you want to use to unlatch the lock cylinder is the long narrow one closest to the tapped boss. It is NOT the slot next to it that is closest to the pin with the blue stuff wrapped around it.
Jim
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Originally Posted by Jim Shea
One word of caution. The above picture is very sharp and clear. However, it is backward! In other words you are looking at a mirror image of the lock cylinder housing.
Jim
Jim
just so I understand it, is this the BOTTOM side of the housing (looking up) as opposed to the TOP side that you would see when you removed the steering wheel etc.? I took this picture a couple years ago and don't recall.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
Wel, I was able to get it done thanks to the directions provided in Jim's papers.
Unfortunatley I had to disassemble the steering wheel several times because the key warning buzzer kept sounding even without the key in the ignition. It finally stopped and I was able to put it all back together.
Took quite a bit of jiggling to get the lock to come out of the hole but once it did it slipped right out.
Thanks again everyone for all your help.
cc
Unfortunatley I had to disassemble the steering wheel several times because the key warning buzzer kept sounding even without the key in the ignition. It finally stopped and I was able to put it all back together.
Took quite a bit of jiggling to get the lock to come out of the hole but once it did it slipped right out.
Thanks again everyone for all your help.
cc
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Duke94, the picture was taken from the steering wheel side of the lock housing. However, it is a mirror image. Looking into the housing you can see the boss for the lock cylinder is on the left side.
Croaker, if you have a 1969 through 1976 column, you will need to make sure that the lower lever (out under the hood, down under the brake booster) is in the full UP position. There should be a cable coming from the transmission attached to it.
Here is a link to more than you ever wanted to know about the GM steering column/transmission shift interlock system.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...tems27JL04.doc
Jim
Croaker, if you have a 1969 through 1976 column, you will need to make sure that the lower lever (out under the hood, down under the brake booster) is in the full UP position. There should be a cable coming from the transmission attached to it.
Here is a link to more than you ever wanted to know about the GM steering column/transmission shift interlock system.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...tems27JL04.doc
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by croaker
Since you brought it up, my key won't go into the lock postion anyone have some tips?
Fill out your profile!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
With the key in the ignition, push and hold the pin down with the paper clip then rotate the switch counter clockwise (as memory serves me) and it should come right out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan