wow, when I go to turn the key in my 88 f-150 the switch turns SO HARD!!! You have to use both hands to turn it! But this only seems to happen when it is colder out. I know that years ago there was a recall on the ignition switch which my dade had fixed by ford. Do any of you guys have an idea as to what this could be, and how much it SHOULD cost to have fixed? Another thing that has always kinda bothered me is the angle of the key slot in the ignition switch, it is hard to explain, but it is at a very incovenient angle, because you have to push it so far to start the engine. As you turn the key you have to practically stand up to turn it all the way to start the engine, am I explaining this well enough? Anyways, can you change the angle of the key slot? Thanks for ANY help guys!!

 

I had the same problem with my truck (1991 F-250) First disconnect the battery.Then shoot ALITTLE bit of WD40 in the key slot and around the the housing......it freed it right up.
I haven't had problem since........that was about 2 years ago.
I hope this helps.

Jerry D.
http://hometown.aol.com/dvldog458/myhomepage/auto.html

 

If that doesn't solve your problem, you will need to lower the steering column and adjust the ignition switch rod.

Take care,
-Chris

 

I had the EXACT same problem, word for word. About, 1 month ago I was leaving my girlfriends house and it(ignition) was turning hard again (it had done it before, so it was no surprise to me). But, I had a dumbass attack and decieded to just turn it hard against the resistance. Well, I broke it I just started it from under the hood for a couple of days until I could get an appointement to get it fixed.

I can take pictures of the pieces that broke with my digital camera and show'em to you guys if you want, but, it turns out, it was the mechanism that locks and unlocks the steering column that busted. The guy said he get F-150's semi-frequently with this problem and acknowledged it was a little design flaw. It was a real pain to put in.