The ignition key was screwing up and I needed to change the cylinder.
Thanks to an older post here, I have sucessfully removed the old one. However, in my enthusiasm I deviated from the instructions and have a couple of questions to get back on track.

I turned the key to the run position and removed the old one...but I didn't disconnect the battery first. Now I had the instruments lights on and no key to turn it off. I looked in the hole and saw the slot in the gear. I got a screwdriver and just turn it to the off position. Worked fine.

Intrigued, I started the truck and turned it off again.

The small pinion gear stuck to the end of the screwdriver (some kind of lube on the gear) so I put the gear back into the column, with the switch off.

I disconnected the battery, and that how it sits.

Questions:

I understand normal replacement is "turn to run and remove the old, then insert the new (with the switch still in the run position)". Can I just turn to run with the screwdriver and insert the new ignition and be done?

Is there a specific orientation or any alignment of the small gear in the column? to engage the steering lock or something?

Do i need to grease/lube the new part with anything?

The instructions that came with the part talk about removing the sterring wheel. Is this required for some reason? The old one popped out with the steering wheel in place.


Should I just throw the new cylinder away and use the screwdriver as the new key?

Sorry, if these questions are stupid, I haven't played with an ignition switch before.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

The slot on the gear needs to correspond with the part on the new cyl. otherwise the position of the key will be off.