Unlock Steering Wheel

[cwilson jr]

I misplaced the keys to my 85 K10.  the steering column was replaced years ago so I can't have a key made from the VIN, so I temporarily dropped the ignition switch to start, but now have to have a way to steer.  I'm not sure what I'm doing with the truck yet, but it has to move within a week.

If I drill the cylinder, will that free the steering, or will that destroy the cylinder for nothing, where I couldn't even get a locksmith to create one from the existing lock cylinder, which I personally am not going to replace at this time.

Any ideas how I can free the steering wheel?

[bd]

You will need to remove the upper horn contact, Belleville spring, lower horn contact, steering wheel, lock-plate cover, lock plate, turn signal lever, and the emergency flasher knob.  Next, remove the three screws that retain the turn signal switch to the column and pull the turn switch away from the column sufficiently to clear the steering shaft.  You may need to unplug the turn signal switch connector located alongside the right side of the column under the dash to gain enough slack in the switch cable to pull the switch up out of the way.  Lay the switch to the side.  Grab the key warning switch assembly (two brass contacts in the following image) using a pair of needle nose pliers and pull straight outward to remove the key warning switch and spring.  The spring hooks around the bottom side of the key warning switch but is not firmly attached to the switch.  Don't lose the spring. 



Remove the lock cylinder retaining bolt using a Torx driver (images below) and slide the cylinder straight out of the column.







Insert the new lock cylinder and reassemble in the reverse order.


Acknowledgement:  Images captured from our technical article, "How-To: Fixing a Sloppy GM Tilt Column" by Captkaos.

[JohnnyPopper]

Can someone get a 'thank you!'? 

That was awesome bd! I hope I never have to do it...

Is that your truck or shutter stock?

[bd]

Sorry, and thank you for the nudge.  I meant to include a proper acknowledgement then got distracted.  Those images came from the excellent article, "How-To: Fixing a Sloppy GM Tilt Column" posted in the Technical Forum by Captkaos.

[JohnnyPopper]

NP thx for the acknowledgement.

When I bought my '78 the steering column was loose and shifty.

The Doorman slider device that drags the starter switch thingy regardless of the angle of the steering wheel broke. Not fun.

The hardest thing was finding the part at NAPA, found the Doormans number-IT WAS IN STOCK!!!

Yeah, nother stale, lazy, at

[zieg85]

Sorry, and thank you for the nudge.  I meant to include a proper acknowledgement then got distracted.  Those images came from the excellent article, "How-To: Fixing a Sloppy GM Tilt Column" posted in the Technical Forum by Captkaos.

For a lot of repairs or questions, answers may be found in the Technical Forum.  I personally read them from time to time to refer folks like Rich did to answer the OP questions.  This site is one of the best resources there is and a credit to the site creator Chris Lucas for it.