Ignition lock

[terravistawombat]

Hi All
About one week ago, after stopping the MU, it has become almost impossible to remove the ignition key. It turns easily enough past accessories, but it has difficulty getting past the last click. With enough force, it clunks and goes, but the key is almost at the bending stage before it gives.
It has suffered WD40, and Silicon spray with no improvment.
Wriggling the key, and rotating the steering wheel does not help.
I'm assuming the steering lock is the problem, but does anyone know an easy fix, or how to remove the actual lock pin that may be the problem?
Cheers
Ian

[geeves]

Might be a trip to your favorite locksmith. They can work magic but otherwise its a new lock.
Im asuming that you can turn it on ok which suggests ther key is ok. A worn key would be hard both ways although I have the oposite problem. After particularly bumpy trips I have to hunt the floor for the key before I can turn off.

[darkhunter]

try some graphite powder into it first

[jer0]

try some graphite powder into it first

This stuff works wonders, but if you have already used a liquid spray it just turns into paste which binds everything up.
Is yours an auto? as there is a cable that runs from the shifter to the ignition lock to stop the key being removed, you could check thats not binding.

[terravistawombat]

Hi, and thanks for the help.
It is an automatic, and I have also noticed I have to push the brake pedal further to get out of Park, could this be related to the cable from shifter to ignition lock?
I am thinking of pulling the steering column covers off and cleaning the WD40 and Silicon out of the lock to add graphite powder. Any suggestions on a suitable cleaner? Thinners, metho or such???
Cheers
and thanks.

[darkhunter]

brakeleen would do it, or electronic contact cleaner, would work,