I got my part last night, and installed it today, about 2 1/2 hours all told. The only problem I ran into was getting the ignition switch lined up right so that all the positions were correct. After about 3 tries, I got it.
The tilt mechanism gave me no trouble at all, in fact, I had it apart and reassembled 3x in trying to get the switch right.
I think if I had to do again, I would not remove the 3 allen screws in the back. I don?t see that I gained any advantage by removing them. But, maybe I just don?t realize that I may have.
I?m no mechanic, but I don?t mind getting my hands dirty. If you take a systematic approach to this, and keep track of how everything came apart, this is a very doable job. The part cost me $7.50, and other then the internet research, I had a total of 5 hours, hands on, into it. It was my 1st ever steering column breakdown/reassembly/anything. I?m glad I didn?t have to pay a garage for the fix.
Good Luck!!
"dadrich" wrote: > Turned out to be pretty easy. It was just labor intensive. > Took a total of 4 hours from start to finish. All I needed > was a pivot pin puller and some patience. I did realize that > once you get the upper flange, lower flange and pull the pins > there is a trick to it. Once you get the 3 bolts out from > behind the yoke (also providing you drop the steering column > first which will allow easy acces to these bolts using a 3/16 > allen wrench) have the new ignition actuator sitting on the > dash board. Pull out the yoke (about 1/2 inch and turn it to > the right about a quarter turn (definetly need to remove the > gear shift lever for automatics). With the yoke still in your > left hand, slide out the old actuator and then slide the new > one back in. Turn the yoke back to the left (upright > position) and then push it back in. Worked perfectly for me. > Just remember to pull the pin on the old actuator and lift up > on the rod first. You just want the actuator to come out, not > the rod. Another tip is if you have tilt steering, pull the > spring before you pull the pins. It took a little to get the > spring back in but just use a standard screwdrive and you > should be able to force it back in. Now it works great. New > actuator and tumbler. Had to replace the upper flange too. > Tore up the old one trying to get the old lock cylinder out. > Hope this helps.