Replacing ignition key lock cylinder....
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 350
Likes: 28
From: Louisville, KY
Replacing ignition key lock cylinder....
I just spent at least an hour going through old threads and I'm still confused as to how to do this. I have a '95 F150 4x4 regular cab longbed with the 4.9L 6, manual transmission, and no tilt wheel. I can drive the truck as it is now but the end is broken off the lock cylinder and I'd like to put on a new one. The instructions say to disengage the air bag and remove the steering wheel. Is that necessary? I stuck a screwdriver up the hole but couldn't find a pin to release the old cylinder. Is there a trick to finding the pin? Should I try to drill out the old cylinder? Any advice would be appreciated.... 
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
Not sure why the instructions are telling you to remove the wheel, should just need push the release button to pull it out. Unless they changed something between 94 and 95 or something in the air bag system made a change. Gotta say I doubt it.
Remove the lower column cover so you can clearly see the release button, turn the key to "run" push the button and pull the cylinder out.
The new cylinder should be in the run position right out of the box, if not turn it as so it is, push it in and it will lock in place. Should work like new second you have it locked in.
Remove the lower column cover so you can clearly see the release button, turn the key to "run" push the button and pull the cylinder out.
The new cylinder should be in the run position right out of the box, if not turn it as so it is, push it in and it will lock in place. Should work like new second you have it locked in.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,728
Likes: 8
From: Cleveland, TN
Not sure why the instructions are telling you to remove the wheel, should just need push the release button to pull it out. Unless they changed something between 94 and 95 or something in the air bag system made a change. Gotta say I doubt it.
Remove the lower column cover so you can clearly see the release button, turn the key to "run" push the button and pull the cylinder out.
The new cylinder should be in the run position right out of the box, if not turn it as so it is, push it in and it will lock in place. Should work like new second you have it locked in.
Remove the lower column cover so you can clearly see the release button, turn the key to "run" push the button and pull the cylinder out.
The new cylinder should be in the run position right out of the box, if not turn it as so it is, push it in and it will lock in place. Should work like new second you have it locked in.
X2 As simple as can be!!!!
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,815
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From: Tobyhanma, PA
I just did this on my 95. You do not have to remove the wheel or airbag.
Note: Do NOT turn the new cylinder in your hand, there are little pins that will shoot out if you do.
Turn your current key to on/acc (like listening to radio), then push a screwdriver (small Phillips works best) up the hole directly under the cylinder on the column, while pushing up on the pin, pull the entire assembly out. Installation is just sliding new cylinder in once its removed from the tube it prolly came in.
Note: Do NOT turn the new cylinder in your hand, there are little pins that will shoot out if you do.
Turn your current key to on/acc (like listening to radio), then push a screwdriver (small Phillips works best) up the hole directly under the cylinder on the column, while pushing up on the pin, pull the entire assembly out. Installation is just sliding new cylinder in once its removed from the tube it prolly came in.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
Note: Do NOT turn the new cylinder in your hand, there are little pins that will shoot out if you do.
Seams I recall something like that but never actually turned one, cylinder is ready to go in right out of the box (Unless someone played with it of course).
Seams I recall something like that but never actually turned one, cylinder is ready to go in right out of the box (Unless someone played with it of course).
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 350
Likes: 28
From: Louisville, KY
Thanks for the comments and advice. I'll give it a try tomorrow morning and let you guys know what happens. Is it really necessary to remove one of the battery cables first? 
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Cleveland, TN
While probably not 100% necessary, I would because you never know what will go kerflewie!!!! Better take a minute and be safe than hurry and have a major screw up...
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,843
Likes: 27
From: Eastern Ky
Guess who found this lil tidbit out like .000000000000000000000000000000001 miliseconds before my buddy told me NOT to turn that damned key....Then...PIIIINNNGGGGGGG.......I FINALLY found those lil buggers....
Btw...Mine is kinda funky to turn, and he gave me a OEM one from he picked up from a yard...and it had the MOTORCRAFT/OEM Ford key IN IT
So yeah....Awesome in its own right....
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 350
Likes: 28
From: Louisville, KY
Success!
Dan's tip of removing the lower plastic piece helped a lot. I used an ice pick in the hole while pulling on the lock cylinder with needle nose pliers and it came out easily. The key would just slide out so I probably could have started it with a screwdriver. I had my wife start it a couple of times and she's much happier with it now. (She has a small flower business and occasionally uses the truck to haul 40-100 vases of flowers for various luncheons.) Thanks again to all who shared their knowledge and advice. This is a great site....
Dan's tip of removing the lower plastic piece helped a lot. I used an ice pick in the hole while pulling on the lock cylinder with needle nose pliers and it came out easily. The key would just slide out so I probably could have started it with a screwdriver. I had my wife start it a couple of times and she's much happier with it now. (She has a small flower business and occasionally uses the truck to haul 40-100 vases of flowers for various luncheons.) Thanks again to all who shared their knowledge and advice. This is a great site....
