ignition barrel trouble

[dreamykiwi]

I have just bought an old but grand old 1991 MU. It hadn't been looked after and therefore has lots of little problems to fix.
When I bought the Mu the ignition key sometimes caught before turning to start. As of this week its been harder and harder to turn the key.
Today got a new key made from a auto locksmith. But its still catching. sometimes it takes me several minutes to get it to turn on.
So the next option is a new ignition. I was wondering if i only need the barrel part of the ignition and not the whole thing?
If so is it easy to change it if I buy a barrel and key secondhand?

any help appreciated. BTW not sure I am in the right section so please forgive me if I am not.

[pig75]

Have you tried some CRC or similar sprayed into where the key goes in ?

[dreamykiwi]

yes that was done this morning when the new key was cut. worked for a few hours then spent about 5 mins each time I stopped to restart it. So I figure its safer to get a new barrel and replace the faulty one. My luck it will get stuck at xmas time and i will be Mu less over the xmas new year period.

[geeves]

How was the new key cut? Most lock places only copy your worn key. Some places like Chubbs can cut to the key number but you might have to go to holden first to get the number. They will need the chassis number and proof its yours. If that fails talk to a good locksmith. They should be able to key it to the same as the other locks Saves having 2 keys. Take all the cowlings off but let the locksmith do the rest

[Yarno]

I have used master lock smiths before to fix barrel problems, they can put new parts in the lock to bring it back to original and cut a key from the number.

[dreamykiwi]

did go to the auto locksmith and had one cut from the number not copied from old key. He said if this does not fix the problem they can recondition the barrel which will cost $90 some odd, and no guarantee that it will be fully fixed could still have a catch when turning. So I thought get a secondhand barrel from another MU that is in good working order, and put that in. Now I have the casing off the steering column and can not find how to remove the old barrel?

[geeves]

They use snap off bolt heads. You can do it at home but its a pain that will make sitting uncomfortable. Locksmiths have tricks they are not keen on showing jo public for obvious reasons. There is a also the risk that its not the lock part that is catching in which case a second hand assembly from another Mu is worth having.

[Yarno]

Ok getting the barrel out is easy, just got to do a few things.

First remove steering wheel, then indicator stalk. Put your key in the ignition, turn from LOCK to OFF, then you'll see a hole on the front part of the barrel, you need to put a screwdriver in there and push it in while pulling on the key, the barrel should slide out.

[Demonic]

Have you tried some CRC or similar sprayed into where the key goes in ?

You should never use CRC in locks or barrels as it drys and causes things to stick. Use a graphite powder (similar to pencil graphite). Well not really a powder it more like dust, this is what a locksmith told me when i had the problem with my ignition. (also the old man told me this trick b4 the locksmith did)