Key Cylinder Removal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 403
Likes: 7
From: Space Coast Florida
Key Cylinder Removal
My key cylinder doesn't lock anymore, unless there's something that I can check to let it lock again, how can I remove the key cylinder? Would be really interested to know seeing as you can turn car over w/o the key as it is. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
You will have to remove the steering wheel and some other items. If your not comfortable with this or don't have the tools call a locksmith and ask them how much they would charge to change it for you. I understand they have a tool to remove the cylinder without removing the steering wheel depending on the year of your car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
First of all, what year Corvette? Also, standard (non-adjustable) or T&T column? It makes a difference.
In order to remove the lock cylinder without removing the steering wheel requires a slam puller to be screwed into the end of the lock cylinder and a weight to be slammed against the end of a rod to dislodge the cylinder. Death for the original cylinder (so what?) but very hard on the rest of the steering column and the instrument panel.
The correct way is to remove the steering wheel, hub, and locking plate. Then remove three screws and pull the turn signal switch out of the column far enough to reach the locking tab that is engaged to the lock cylinder housing. Pull the old cylinder and install the new one.
Complete instructions on the above are available at www.corvettefaq.com
Click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
Click on Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down to the 69-82 Standard (or T&T) Steering Column Disassembly & Repair Paper #1.
Jim
In order to remove the lock cylinder without removing the steering wheel requires a slam puller to be screwed into the end of the lock cylinder and a weight to be slammed against the end of a rod to dislodge the cylinder. Death for the original cylinder (so what?) but very hard on the rest of the steering column and the instrument panel.
The correct way is to remove the steering wheel, hub, and locking plate. Then remove three screws and pull the turn signal switch out of the column far enough to reach the locking tab that is engaged to the lock cylinder housing. Pull the old cylinder and install the new one.
Complete instructions on the above are available at www.corvettefaq.com
Click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
Click on Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down to the 69-82 Standard (or T&T) Steering Column Disassembly & Repair Paper #1.
Jim
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
If the locksmith uses a slide hammer I would not recommend it but I was told they had some kind of slim jim that slid in the side of the lock cylinder to remove it by depressing the spring tab.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Sometime during the 1979 model run (and subsequent years) the lock cylinder design was changed. Rather than a spring loaded tab the cylinder was retained by a cross bolt. That design requires that you must remove the steering wheel, hub, locking plate, etc. in order to gain access to unscrew the cross bolt. No way a slam puller or slim jim is going to work.
Jim
Jim
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Sometime during the 1979 model run (and subsequent years) the lock cylinder design was changed. Rather than a spring loaded tab the cylinder was retained by a CROSS BOLT. That design requires that you must remove the steering wheel, hub, locking plate, etc. in order to gain access to unscrew the cross bolt. No way a slam puller or slim jim is going to work.
Jim
Jim
Race Director
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From: Dayton, Ohio
For those of you wondering what were referring to as to the differences in the 2 cylinders here is a pic of both cylinders. The cylinder on top has the black spring loaded tab that retains the cylinder in the column,the cylinder on the bottom has the groove in it where the retaining bolt is used to retain the cylinder. The cylinder on the top with the spring tab is the one I've been told can be released with a slim jim type of tool.
For those that want to ask if the 2 cylinders can be interchanged Jim will be the one to answer that because I've never tried it but doubt that they can.
For those that want to ask if the 2 cylinders can be interchanged Jim will be the one to answer that because I've never tried it but doubt that they can.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
I would have thought that putting a cross notch on a lock cylinder with a spring tab would make that cylinder service all GM columns. So I would suspect that there must be a reason why GM didn't provide a service lock cylinder for all years. Since they didn't provide one, there must be a reason --- but I don't know the answer to that one.
Jim
Jim
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On the left side of those lock cyliners I see a white tab, is that what activates the key buzzer? Is that part made from plastic? When you put the key in does it extend and retract when you pull the key out? PG.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
yes
yes-- edit wait a min and I'll check.. the answer is yes and it also retracts when you turn the key on
Last edited by ...Roger...; Jun 28, 2009 at 01:21 PM.
