Ignition key cylinder tumbler swap

[Charles Baer]

Peter Schulz wrote:
>
> At 10:26 AM 8/12/2002 -0600, you wrote:
> >Anybody have the procedure to crack open the ignition key cylinder to
> >rekey it when replacing a broken switch/cylinder assembly ?
...snip...
> Charlie:
>
> Bentley goes into detail - you need to remove the cylinder housing from the steering column,
> measure and drill a hole ( dimensions in Bentley) to access and depress a retaining spring
> that will release the lock cylinder

Nope, did that three weeks ago after the cah wahsh broke it when I was
preparing to
leave town.  I seem to recall muttering oaths about the Bentley guy who
wrote "push
down the column and remove".  The drawings also depict a different
steering column
assembly than is in my sedan.

I have sitting here two cylinders, not the steering lock housing.  One
has a broken
tab that no longer can rotate the switch, one is new and intact but of
course has new
keys that don't fit the car.  Stammler service said "oh it's quick and
easy" when I
queried about rekeying it, but it wasn't obvious what to do when I
looked at them this
weekend.

The archives had mention prices ranging from $40 at a local dealer to
$300 at a shop
who presumably had never done the job.  If it really is easy and I'm
just missing the
(in)obvious then I need to be told the magic trick, otherwise I will be
looking for a
Boulder area shop or the stealer to change the tumblers.

Thanks,

Charlie