Theft attempt—lock sort of broken, but starts. What do I need to fix it?

[t00th]

Well, the clutch shackle, steering wheel-to-brake-pedal club, battery kill, and hood lock saved my ass last night. Just found the entire lock cylinder busted out, with the little plastic cover broken in two. When I peer in, I can see that part of the lock cylinder housing was broken off.

However, the cylinder seems ... fine, other than a bent lip. I can re-insert it, turn the key, start the car, turn it back off, and lock the steering wheel just fine. The key release button also works. I can pull the cylinder back out, but it takes some effort. The column shroud was fine, though a little gouged up where they pried the cylinder cover off.

This bummed me the hell out because I have a trip to Massachusetts this weekend, but as far as I can tell, it's fine to use. It def ain't getting fixed between now and then.

This happened last fall and they trashed my shit. Couldn't use my key, but could start it, because they had wedged something in the hole. The killswitch saved me that time too. It was expensive to have a shop fix it. It seems like this time, I can do it myself.


My question is, what parts do I need? Can I re-use this cylinder? Do I just need the housing?
Will try and take some pics when I have a chance.

 

[t00th]

Bump - anyone ever had to do a similar repair?

 

[Plumber1]

 

[pagrey]

My question is, what parts do I need? Can I re-use this cylinder? Do I just need the housing?
Will try and take some pics when I have a chance.

From your description it sounds like the housing should be replaced and the cylinder is fine. I've had it all apart on mine but haven't replaced the housing. Sounds like it's safe to drive as long as you are very sure it wont lock the wheel, personally I'd just replace what's obviously broken and maybe the actuator pin. I don't know what year you have but they can fail when they get old and if you already have it all apart it might be a good time to do it. I know somebody with an 06 that had the same deal happen, really sucks and surprising how much gets damaged so quickly.

 

[t00th]

Update - sorry, I've been busy and out of town, forgot to update this thread. See below. In the first two photos, you can see that the lock cylinder housing busted when they stuck a shimmy between the cylinder and the column cover.

Here's the cylinder. The little rivet broke that secures the retaining spring for the little tab, which helps keeps the cylinder in the housing. They also bent the key hole. But again, cylinder itself is okay. Can go into the hole and turn to start the jeep. Will just come back out if I pull on it.