Uses For Locksmiths
Do you own a Chevrolet mid-size car from 1964-1988? Ever lost a key to your ignition when you have a separate key for door and ignition? Don't have a spare? A locksmith can charge anywhere from 50-100 dollars to change your ignition or make a new key. Why not spend 10-20 dollars and fix it yourself? You only need some different tools, including a snapring remover, a lock plate remover, and a steering wheel puller. All of these tools can probably be rented or borrowed from your local auto parts store. It is incredibly easy, and will not take long.
First, disconnect the negative battery cable. Then, examine the back of your steering wheel. You will find two screws holding the trim pad on. Remove these screws, and your trim pad and horn assembly will come free. Disconnect the horn assembly cables from the trim pad, and then put the trim pad away. Now, there will be a snapring just above a large nut that is holding the steering wheel on. Using a snapring remover or other tool, remove the snapring. Now, mark the steering wheel and the steering column so that you can replace the wheel in the right alignment. Then, loosen and remove the retaining nut. You will probably have to use an adjustable crescent wrench.
Now, on the older Chevrolet models, you will not be able to remove the steering wheel without the steering wheel puller. Align the center bolt of the steering wheel puller with the steering shaft bolt. Now, tighten the 2 other bolts on the puller into the holes next to the main bolt. Now, begin tightening the center bolt until the wheel pulls free. Set the steering wheel aside.
Next, you need to remove the steering shaft cover. This will pop free, revealing the lock plate. This is where the lock plate removing tool comes in. Simply tighten the tool around the center bolt, and tighten the tool down to push the lock plate in. Then, remove the ring just above the lock plate. Slide it up the shaft, undo the lock plate removal tool, and then take the ring the rest of the way off. Now, you can pull the lock plate out.
This will reveal the turn signal housing. Remove the turn signal lever by pulling it out. The turn signal housing will have several screws holding it in place. Remove these screws, and pull it out. It will not be necessary to remove the wiring. Simply pull until you have enough slack in the wiring to let it hang down.
After you remove the housing, you will see what you have been looking for. It will be a dead end with several screws in it. Look just under the ignition and remove the screw that looks like it runs into the bottom of where the cylinder would be. This will allow you to remove the cylinder. Some models before 1978 will require you to stick a screwdriver into the turn signal housing slot and break the housing flash. Then, you have to depress the spring latch and remove the lock cylinder. Now, you have removed your ignition cylinder and you are ready to put in the new one and put the whole thing back together.







