1971 dart replacing igniton need help!!

This question of how to remove a lock cylinder comes up regularly. That excellent photo array detailing disassembly of an early column should be made a sticky for easy access to those in need.

Years ago I had a lock smith business, and did a lot of automotive work. The wrong key stick in a Chrysler ignition problem would occasionally pop up. The problem these ignition cylinders is there is a trap that captures a broken or wrong key that has to be pushed up and out of the way before the offending key or chunk can be removed. Same goes for a key jammed into the key way upside down. When an upside down, wrong, or broken stub is pulled out, the trap digs in more as more pulling force is exerted. What can happen is the trap gets distorted, and won’t allow the correct key to be inserted fully into the key way. When this happens the tumblers won’t properly orientate to line up the shear line that allowing the key to be rotated.

The fix is to replace the Chrysler lock cylinder which is a lot of work requiring special tools. GM and Ford ignition locks of the seventies don’t have these trap problems, and are a lot easier to remove from the steering column if needed.

Just be thankful you don’t have an early nineties BMW, there aren’t hammers big enough to hit you head with to deal with those damn things…LOL