1985 ford F150: Turned key to start my truck, and felt something go "crunch". I removed the steering wheel and the lock mechanism in the steering column. All looks fine. Do you have any idea what could have broke? Do you have a link to a diagram of an exploded view of the steering column for this model truck? BTW, it has a tilt steering wheel. Thank you in advance! Paul

If you vehicle is parked on a slant and the wheels are slightly turned, the pressure from the weight of the car may be forcing you steering wheel to bind. Try tweaking the steering wheel in the same direction that the wheels are turned using your left hand and at the same time try turning the key with your right hand. Tweaking the steering wheel takes the pressure off of the ignition switch. If that doesn't work, try a different key if you have one.

replace turn signal switch under steering wheel.once steering wheel is removed you will see it

you can break the lock by pulling down on the steering whell very hard. or if your ignitons swith is bad you have to get a new one

This is a real shot in the dark but maybe it can get you out of a jam. Prehaps the steering wheel was turned very far to one side before the truck was turned off. The steering wheel would then be locked in this position. However, the steering wheel wants to return to the straight ahead position so it would putting pressure on the locking mechanism. This may prevent the key from turning. Try pulling on the steering wheel to the left or to the right while you try to turn the key. I hope this helps you out.

Disconnect negative on battery. Pull steering wheel with steering wheel puller. Take off turn signal assembly.

Put key in old lock, turn to on, you will see small hole on top of steering housing, put in stiff wire to push back retainer holding old lock, pull old lock out, install new lock, reverse procedure.

the airbag, steering wheel and lock ring have to be removed to access the key cylinder. in addition to common hand tools you will need a steering wheel puller and a lock ring remover, under the airbag is the clock spring which allows the wiring for the airbag to rotate. be very careful not to rotate the clockspring or you will break the wires inside. after removing the steering wheel and lock spring you should be able to see how to remove the key cylinder, usually a bolt, screw, or clip

The steering wheel lock is a metal prong that protrudes into the steering shaft from within the ignition lock assembly, that is held on by two security screws pointing upward underneath the plastic steering column covers. You can remove the 2 screws and check out the working of the mechanism. It's probably stuck. Most likely, when you put on the new steering wheel, you simply twisted the ignition assembly and it is now causing the steering lock to be wedged on in the lock channel. Try twisting it back the other direction with your hands and I'm pretty sure it will allow the spring loaded locking mechanism to release. This same problem happened to me and took me a while to troubleshoot what was going on in the mechanism and figure it out. If twisting it both directions and checking to see if it releases with the key turned doesn't fix it, just remove the ignition assembly and lubricate the locking mechanism bolt and that will fix it for sure.

its not that had to replace the ignition switch, remove the steering wheel, u will need to buy a ighition removal tool, push plate down, remove plate and the switch will slide right out.. go to advanced auto parts and they will tell you all the tools you will need to replace the switch, and they have a loaner tool program, so just buy the tool and take it back and get your money back.. good luck keith...

Hi,
When you say you were able to remove it - does this mean the broken part of the key? if it was, then just take both pieces to a locksmith that cuts auto keys, and have a replacement cut. If it uses a transponder, make sure this is copied also.

With a working key, remove any plastic surround around the lock mechanism (put the steering wheel back on), and look at the lock mechanism around the actual lock. Turn the key to position 1. This should allow a small pin on the side of the lock body to be pressed in - releasing the lock cylinder, which will come out on the key when you pull it.

These are some makes where you have to drill to depress the catch, but this is a hands-on job for an auto locksmith.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for using Fixya.

either you have the wrong key,or try turning the steering wheel to the right all the way,then turn key,this usually happens when you park the vehicle and the wheels are turned,then the steering wheel locks hard