Dakota Steering Lock

[mopowers]

I let my dad borrow my 2006 Dakota yesterday to run a couple errands. When he went to come home, apparently the key wouldn't turn in the lock cylinder. He called me and I told him to wiggle the steering wheel a little to make sure the pressure was off the steering column lock. Apparently that wasn't working either. Once I got off the phone with him, he was able to get the key to turn and fire up the truck. When he got home, I noticed that the steering column lock isn't working anymore.

My question is, where is the column lock located? Is it a piece inside the lock cylinder? Is it easy to break?

Sounded to me like it may have broken and caused an issue for my dad, or maybe my dad broke it inadvertently. Either way, I'm curious if it's an easy item to repair, or if I should just not worry about it. Thanks for the input guys. I really appreciate it.

 

[mopowers]

???

 

[coffeedart67]

ON my 98 Dakota the key had to be in just right to turn the ignition, I would take the key out and flip it over and keep doing that until it would turn. Don't know if it was a worn key or tumblers or what. I took it to Wal mart for an oil change(first mistake right there)and they broke/fixed it. don't know if they forced it or what but when turning the ignition it felt like it was full of stiff grease and I would have to slightly back it off of start position, then wiggle it a little to get the accessories to work while running