Nissan Repair: ignition switch, shift linkage, steering wheel

Question
-I've tried cleaning and lubricating with minimal result, if any.  Noticed that the steering wheel isn't locking most of the time. It did lock once out of a couple of dozen tries with the final click you hear when the key is turned to the lock position for removal.   The only way to get the key out is to turn it quickly past the hard spot.  Stopping at the off position and then trying to get the key out will probably break it off.  Obviously the steering wheel locking rod is either burred, bent, or in need of lube.  Wonder what the exact configuration of it is?  It must have two springs somewhere, one to keep it from engaging the lock as you drive down the road, and one to move the rod against the steering column so it engages when it finds one of the slots to lock it.  Wonder where the springs are and how they are attached or related to the locking rod so I can possibly drill an access hole to lubricate it without damaging something and avoid removing the rivetted assembly, or somehow drilling away part of the locking rod and defeating it without getting it into a situation where it might lock going down the road?  Thanks.  Clem

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Followup To
Question -
90 maxima has problem getting past off position to lock so ignition key can be removed.  Not apparently the shift linkage, probably the steering wheel lock.  I don't care if the steering wheel lock works or not if I can easily defeat this by drilling into the area where the rod performing this function is located rather than taking the whole locking mechanism apart or possibly removing the steering wheel would work?  Suggestions?  Thanks
Answer -
The cylinder can be taken apart, cleand and lubricated.  If it were me I would take the cover off the steering column and remove the components and clean them with tuner cleaner.  You can get it at Radio Shack.  Then use WD40 or the like to lubricate the parts.  You should not have to defeat the wheel lock feature.  Basically, the unit is really dry and needs to be cleaned and lubricated.  You will find the collar that the ignition switch is located on is riveted to the column so that would be a real challenge to remove without drilling into the soft metal around the rivit.  It can be done.  But, you really have to be careful and center punch the rivet before drilling it out.  If it were me I would go with the former and just remove what you can and clean and lubricate it.  If this does not work then you will have to remove the collar that has the rivet on it.  Then, you would clean the inner parts and lubricate it and reinstall it with a self tapping bolt of the proper size.  That is, unless you have a really large rivet gun...

Answer
Clem,

This is going to be interesting for you if you are not mechanically inclined.  The lock is indeed in need of removal or replacement.  And, to do this you will have to remove the outer cover off the column.  Then, you will have to drill out the rivits that hold the ignition collar on the column.  After you drill out the rivits you will be able to remove the ignition lock, cylinder assebly.  Now, you will see the pin that locks the column.  Your choice on replacement or removal.  Once you are done you will need to tap the holes where the rivet was and use a self tapping bolt or get a replacement set of rivets.