Topic: key pops out

[eroc022]

basically that small square slot on the right side should have something in it... its a 78 column and mine are 79 with the set screws... im reading through the service manual to see if im missing anything?

[eroc022]

okay manual states for installatiom:

1. Install lock, hold lock cylinder sleeve and rotate knob clockwise against stop. Insert cylinder into cover bore with key on cylinder sleeve aligned to keyway in housing; push into abutment of cylinder and sector. Rotate cylinder, until drive section of cylinder mates with drive shaft. Push in until snap ring snaps into groove and lock cylinder is secured in cover. Check freedom of rotation.
2. While pulling slightly on turn signal wiring at connector, guide turn signal switch inside of cover.
3. Refer to TURN SIGNAL SWITCH - Installation - Steps 1-9
4. Connect negative battery cable.


So it seems that it should snap into place and hold itself in without a set screw.....

[Justin]

Yeah I just don't get it. I don't understand the parts that are named in the instructions. I read my Haynes book and it said the same thing.

[Justin]

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/justinh4578/a80b5122.mp4

[ta78w72]

What year is your car?  Or better yet, does your column have a "hump" on the left side of the cover or not?

Also, you say the key pop's out, do you mean the key lock pops out?

[Justin]

It's a 78 4speed. IIl check for the hump


I do not see anything that looks like a "hump"

[ta78w72]

You don"t have a set screw.  The lock has a tab that clicks into the column which must be depressed to allow the lock to come out.

So, is it the lock that's popping out, or the key that's popping out?

78's don't have the hump.

[Justin]

Yes. I posted a video. The whole thing pops out

[ta78w72]

Then I assume you may have a 79 key lock which needs a set screw....which is wrong for your car, or your key lock has a broken tab.

I wish all the problems were this easy.

[eroc022]

Then I assume you may have a 79 key lock which needs a set screw....which is wrong for your car, or your key lock has a broken tab.

I wish all the problems were this easy.

yeah thats what im thinking after seeing it

[Justin]

I think I was sold the wrong one. I called the parts store and they said they list both types for the 78 model. I do not have the box or reciept but they were able to find it in the computer from last September and said they will swap it for me if it is different. There is a groove on the one I have that I think is where the set screw would go.

What a pain. Oh well. Thank you guys for helping me. I'll let you know what I find out.

[ta78w72]

That 79 type column may have been introduced late in the model year but I'm not sure about that.  That may be why they had both listed as 78 though.

[jmurray878]

Justin, the key lock cylinder that you showed in your video is the 79 lock cylinder.  The groove/slot in the middle-bottom of the cylinder is where the sort of shoulder bolt goes thru on a 79.  Just replaced all the locks on my 79.  Hopefully they'll exchange it for ya

[Justin]

Okay. Update is I went to parts store and swapped it for the other one. It went in and locked in like 5 seconds. Sucks I tore my column apart for nothing.

[ta78w72]

Happy ending.  

That's why a service manual is priceless.  Read before you work.  I always study for a few hours before I take on a project.  I print the applicable pages of the service manual and work through them during the project.

If you have a tilt column, it would have been wise to tear the column down further to tighten the bolts that come loose.  I had two bad columns and broke them down and made one good tilt column out of them.  They still sell the bearing kit.