Steering Column Repair: 86 Chevy Beretta ignition key cylinder replacemrnt, chevy beretta, tilt column

Question
QUESTION: I have a '86 Chevy Beretta that I need to replace the ignition key cylinder on.  I've taken the panel off from under the steering column as well as the steering wheel and can not see a way to get to the key cylinder from either direction.  Can someone help tell me how to replace this.  I've called NAPA, AutoZone, Kragen, ... to get a Chilton's or other repair manual and there are none to be found in the entire city.  I'm told that the nearest one is around 450 miles away and I need to get this fixed as soon as possible.  Any help will be appreciated.  Thank you.

ANSWER: Hello smf124:

I can certainly help you with this repair, but it would help both of us to know why you are trying to replace the lock cylinder.  Also, I need to know if it is a tilt or non-tilt column, and lastly, the best way for me to assist you would be if you could provide a picture (phone pic is fine) of where you are in the tear-down of the column; it would help me see what design you have.
Let me know as much as and as soon as you can

Thanks
Doug

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QUESTION: Sorry.  As soon as I hit send I realized that I didn't tell you that it's an automatic with a floor shift and a standard non-tilt column.



Im' sorry, but for some reason, I'm not able to to upload a pic from my phone.  But as I said before, I have the steering wheel off and have removed the column support so that I can access the top of the steering column.  Thank you again for your help.

ANSWER: OK,
Without knowing the exact design you have, let me start by sending you to our company website that has videos and pictures of some of the GM column repairs.  If your column is round in design, it will have a lock plate just below the steering wheel that has stopped you.  We have video for all the steps to repair that design.  Although it is for a Chevrolet truck, the column is very similar for what you are doing.
If it is square in design, then we need to start over.

Try this first;
www.stolenandrecovered.com

Go to the "How To" section for GM

Doug

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'86 Beretta   QUESTION: Here's a second pic of my problem child.

Answer
OK:
Here's what typically breaks on these column and it's not the lock cylinder.  the rack gear.  I've enclosed a picture of it.  However, let's go one step at a time.
to replace the lock cylinder you need to do the following things in order
1) turn the signal lever to the right turn position.
2) in the top right corner of the exposed switch, you will see a silver 20 torx screw---remove it.
3) remove the 4-way flasher button on the side of the column (phillips screw)
4) Pull the cover off the column exposing the turn signal switch.
5) remove the other 20 torx screws and fold the turn signal switch out of the way.
6) at this point you may be able to get to the white buzzer contact with the green and tan wires attached to it.  If you can, pull it up out of the hole it's in and that will expose the final 20 torx bolt securing the lock cylinder in place.  Remove that bolt and the lock cylinder will slide out.  If you cannot see them, then you need to remove the 3- silver 30 torx screws and remove the upper housing to get to the lower housing.

Let me know what you find and if you need to, post another picture where you get stuck.
If you get the lock out and there is nothing wrong with it, then you are 1/3 of the way to replacing the ignition rack gear buried much deeper in the column

Good luck
Doug