steering column lock

[Skip Shortridge]

My mother's 97 xlt has had an intermittent steering column ignition lock up prob. We've taken it to 2 dealers with the same response that it's a common problem if you park with wheels turned yadda yadda yadda. I've read the post about replacement of the lock cylinder which we'll mostly do next as far as any parts replacements go. My question is could I cause any harm by spraying some graphite lube directly into the key slot in hopes that it might get to the binding components?

 

[leenjen]

sometimes mine locks up when i'm parked with the wheels straight. i dont know what to do, i just deal with it.