How to Replace a broke F150 Cylinder Lock

I couldn't find this information anywhere on the web, so I wanted to share my experience here! 

 

How to fix a broken ignition cylinder lock on a 1997 Ford F150 pickup.  Other models should be similar.  Any method’s I found in repair manuals only show how to remove a working cylinder.  By turning the ignition to run, inserting a small tool to depress the tab on the bottom of the cylinder, and pulling it out to remove it.  It doesn’t say what you do if your ignition will not turn over with the key inserted.  Here are two suggestions:   

One, you can drill out the cylinder tab at the bottom of the cylinder lock.  Be very careful not to drill the hole that holds in the cylinder lock.  If you widen the mounting hole too much, it won’t hold the new cylinder lock in place.  This tab is the only thing that holds the cylinder lock in when the ignition is in the run position.  The tab and the end of the cylinder are what hold it in place when the cylinder is in the off position.  If you use this method you will most likely break a plate inside the column that holds the gear in place that tell the car what ignition position you’re in.  This part cost $3-$4 from Ford.

 Two, you can drill out the cylinder lock where the key inserts.  This will cause a mess!  If possible, you’ll have to drill the lock until it rotates to the run position so you won’t break any other parts in the column.  *Photo Below:  What the cylinder should look like when you remove the cylinder lock.*

If you break the stationary plate in the column, this was unavoidable in my case, buy a new one.  You can regrease this parts it you like as you put them back in.  The inner parts of the column may or may not fall out when you remove the cylinder lock.  If they do, the gear goes in first.  These parts only go in one way.  The gear has three prominent points on it, two of them are side by side and the other one is alone.  The one that’s alone should point straight down.  If your ignition doesn’t work right, you’ll have to adjust this gear until it’s in the proper place.  Next the stationary metal plate goes in.  You’ll have to insert it in horizontal until it’s all the way in and then turn it vertical.  This metal plate doesn’t move but the gear does.  The plate also holds the gear in.  Then you insert the plastic clip that snaps on the metal plate.  This also goes in vertical, but stays vertical.  Make sure your gear and plate are lined up.  Then install your new cylinder lock, with it in the run position.  If your ignition doesn’t start right, you’ll have to adjust the inner gear.       

*Photo Above:  The cylinder without the green plastic clip* - Juggs Ó 2012

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