jiggity76 Posted April 30, 2016 Report Posted April 30, 2016 I need to replace the ignition cylinder on my 91 Cutlass. I have the steering wheel off already and was wondering if I need any special tools for the column. Is there anything I need to be careful/aware of? Quote
Imp558 Posted April 30, 2016 Report Posted April 30, 2016 Lock ring compressor and some tiny picks to get the snap ring off. If memory serves me their are torx bolts holding the ignition switch. Quote
jiggity76 Posted April 30, 2016 Author Report Posted April 30, 2016 Ok, great. Thank you for the info. I'll gather these tools up before I get started. Quote
Imp558 Posted April 30, 2016 Report Posted April 30, 2016 the pics with the orange handles at Harbor Freight work pretty well for the most part, it's nice to have a couple small screwdrivers too. I bought my lock ring compressor from an AutoZone years ago but I think they have one on the loan a tool program. it's a good idea to set a couple of clean Rags on the dashboard so you can lay everything out in order and have them all facing the correct way for when you go to do the reinstallation. Grandprix1 1 Quote
jiggity76 Posted April 30, 2016 Author Report Posted April 30, 2016 Never thought of laying them out in order. That is a great idea that I will definitely utilize. I have a autozone nearby so I will look up the lock ring compressor and maybe they will have some good pics. If not, I'll try Harbor Freight. Thanks, really love the idea of organizing everything on the dash, that is brilliant! Quote
Imp558 Posted May 1, 2016 Report Posted May 1, 2016 Yup, that's the tool. Mine's an OEM, appears to be similar quality but I think the OEM handle is a bit bigger. Quote
Padgett Posted May 1, 2016 Report Posted May 1, 2016 It's the wing nut that takes the force, you just hold the handle. It presses in on the disk and moves the disk just far enough to remove or replace the ring. I have done it by hand before with a big pick but is much easier with the tool. If you want a big handle, that is two bucks more. Quote
Imp558 Posted May 2, 2016 Report Posted May 2, 2016 My first lock ring compressor was made out of a door striker plate and allthread. It was a delicate balance. I didn't think to investigate the availability of the tool until I had done it a couple times. The size of the handle is irrelevant, just remarking that it's slightly different. Quote
jiggity76 Posted March 4, 2017 Author Report Posted March 4, 2017 Just got the ignition cylinder switched out so now I can get the car out of gear! Wasn't too bad but took my time and really organized things so I could remember how to reassembly. Quote
Imp558 Posted March 4, 2017 Report Posted March 4, 2017 I guess I could have mentioned it a while ago but you can match up the ignition with an older one at the parts store and put a non-VATS one in. I had to grind the body of it and defeat the antitheft but my keys only cost $2 now. Did the same to the SSEI Quote
jiggity76 Posted March 4, 2017 Author Report Posted March 4, 2017 I ordered one thru Rockauto.com. It was a GM Delco part so everything fit perfectly. Came with the correct GM keys too! Quote
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