Steering column

[eddie20usa]

Hello i need help
well i lost the key to my 1992 explorer then in order to pull the ignition switch out the local parts guy said i had to drill the ignition switch.
well i did it, and then i think i drilled to far and now the new switch wont go in.
how do i take the column off to try to fix this
help please.
Thank you

 

[92exp4x4]

The switch has to have the key in it and it must be in the run position for everything to line up properly before it will slide completely in. Did you damage the slider and track in the bottom of the casting? If so you may have to get a new casting.

If you need to remove the column, its not hard just time consuming. You must first disconnect the steering shaft under the hood, remove the steering wheel, and all column and dash plastics. There are four or five bolts that hold the column to the firewall. Remove these and the two that hold it to the pedal support and all wiring harnesses. If your truck is an automatic, you will need to gently remove the cable for the position indicator (gauges) and the linkage for the tranny before removing the column. It should just slide out at the point.

 

[eddie20usa]

thanks for the reply
well i know i didnt damage the tracks but what i did do is that when i was drilling out the old ignition, i drilled all the way through.
the bottom of the ignition switch that goes in first (looks like a little square)
doesnt seem to fit in its place. do u think that switching the casting would fix this?

 

[92exp4x4]

It may help if you damaged the original casting. Did you get the correct ingition switch? Is it a junkyard part or new? It should slide right in as long as everything lines up.