how to change ignition cylinder

[AmadeusCharger500]

How do you get at in on a 1974 charger, and what has to be done to remove.
Any special tools needed?

[Nacho-RT74]

steering wheel puller.
Snap on rings plyers.

You need to remove steering wheel, then steering collar removing first the shaft bearing ( removing snap rings ) and turning switch... as far I can recall right now on that moment you will get acces to a seccurity button to be able to release the cilinder.


You need to remove the lock wheel to get access to ignition switch.

[AmadeusCharger500]

Thanks nacho.

[Chryco Psycho]

there si a lever that locks into the lock plate , you need to undo the screws that hold down the lever , the release for the cylinder is behind the plate that holds the lever , it is just a pushbutton to release it

[Nacho-RT74]

 I had forgott that !!!

[AmadeusCharger500]

I know this has been a long time but I had a new incident where I need to change the cylinder. Someone tried to steal my car and broke the key off in the cylinder.

I got to the part with the snap ring. I pulled it off and now I don't know how to get the bearing off. I tried gently prying the collar, but I don't want to hurt anything.

[Nacho-RT74]

The bearing is jut keeped in place with snap rings, so once you remove the top one you can pull off the collar without problem and bearing will come with it.

[AmadeusCharger500]

I removed the 1st snap ring. It still won't budge. Is there another?
There is a rubber bushing covering the bearing. It is either pressed in or glued on because it won't just come off. I tore it a little to see if there was another snap ring. I don't see one.

[Nacho-RT74]

just one snap ring on top and one below, that's it.

rubber is just an isolator, and is just pressed. You can try to pry the column collar and bearing with came off with it.

of course you did need to loose the turning switch, lever and the collar screws

[AmadeusCharger500]

I removed the turn signal switch and the 3 screws.
I am still not getting this. You say there are 2 snap rings before I can remove the collar?
Or one before the collar and one after?
Is the second one beneath the collar?
Or is it possible the bearing has worn a groove in the shaft and I need to just keep prying?

[Nacho-RT74]

Or one before the collar and one after?
Is the second one beneath the collar?

yes

Or is it possible the bearing has worn a groove in the shaft and I need to just keep prying?

No groove there. There is no enough torque or traction to create a groove

are you sure you removed the three screws what attaches the the turning switch collar with the next collar ? there are 6 screws total... 3 to turning switch ( with a plate ) and three more around that keeps collar in place with rest of collumn. Plust the one that supports the turning lever.

[AmadeusCharger500]

I got it to come off by just pulling more with my hands. I am not sure if I broke the second snap ring or not but it sure seem loose now.

Now I am having problems finding the release button.
Is it on the ignition cylinder itself or somewhere next to it?

[Nacho-RT74]

second snap ring won't broke and BTW is a diff snap ring kind than the top one so don't get scared if you notice looks like a half moon snap ring. Is not broken, is on that way LOL.

cilinder release button is hidden by the lock wheel lever plate. 2 big phillips screws to remove that plate below the lock wheel. I think you have room there to remove the lever plate without need to remove the lock wheel.

[Nacho-RT74]

there si a lever that locks into the lock plate , you need to undo the screws that hold down the lever , the release for the cylinder is behind the plate that holds the lever , it is just a pushbutton to release it

here you have the instructions given by Chryco

[AmadeusCharger500]

I got the collar off and the cylinder out!

Thank you!

Now I am having problem getting the collar back on over that moon shaped snap ring.

Yes I did think I  broke it!

[Nacho-RT74]

hahaha, I don't think so, even a pic will help to say to you if got broken.

that snap ring is easy to install on lower shaft groove.

On engine bay where the shaft ends the assembly have a spring that will keep pushing in the shaft so the "easier" way is remove bearing from collar, install the collar, and then insert the shaft on bearing untill gets the collar sit and then install the top snap ring. is a tricky movement. You have to try to pull out the shaft at the same time bearing and snap ring sit on places. You will notice you made it when snap ring clicks on shaft groove.

if you have somebody who help you and is able to push the shaft from engine bay, then you will insert the bearing untill met with lower snap ring and then install the top snap ring. Then the spring on end of shaft will sit by itself the bearing on collar.

Supposelly there are special tools and pullers to make that job, but since I don't have any of those, just rachet, screwdirvers and wrenchs then is all I can say LOL

[AmadeusCharger500]

So that inner snap ring will just snap into place with enough pressure on it? Is it beveled or curved a certain way to allow this? It seems almost impossible to me withought damaging the snap ring. Should I be able to tap on the bearing with a socket and hammer to seat it or do I have to push gently?

[Nacho-RT74]

I never have needed to hammer the bearing with socket or anything... there is clearance enough at least on my asembly to fit with hands

snap rings fits on groves to keep bearing in place but there is not enough pressure to need a stronger snap ring. Outer snap ring is a little bit bigger because only force that need to beat is the one made by the end of shaft spring, thats all. Inner snap ring fits like the C clips or retainers used on 8 1/4 axles... just slide from the side in to the shaft groove. Snap ring will elongate enough to fit without breaks