I've dumped enough money in this car to the point where I'm not going to spend $38 on a tool and $28 for a lock cylinder. How can I take this damn thing off without purchasing the tool?

Autozone rents the tools for cheap and Item No: LC14280 is the price for your lock at Orileys.

autozone rents fior free i just fixed mine

So I got the tool and now the lock ring wont friggin come out. There isn't a tool for that too is there? I figured 2 screw drivers would do the trick

i just used 2 screw drivers

Ive removed the lock plate by mashing it down with my thumbs and having a helper pop the ring off with screwdrivers

Its VERY hard but do-able

I did 2 like that until I dropped the $30 on the tool
It is VERY worth it

You could jsut buy a JY column and disable the VATS system if you havent already

try harder

i can remove these without the compressor but its tricky but ive had to many times, i own two of the lock plate compressors though


also try a hooked round sharp handle pick if the little screwdrivers dont work,


they have to be thin and small to get inbetween the shaft and the ring

slide it up the shaft when its out of the groove, onto the end of the part of the tool that screws onto the shaft end

leave it on the tool until reintallation time

although i never reinstall thelock plate on my own vehicles but it do on customers vehicles, car theft is a RARE thing here, maybe three or four a year around here, and evne then its not TRUE car theft,


good luck

I know this is an old thread but I have a question. I have my wheel off and now I need to remove the lock plate. There is a plastic cover over the lock plate, am I supposed to remove it somehow first? It looks like it will crack if I use my tool on it.

the plastic is part of the plate it does not come apart

depress the entire plate assembly to get the hog ring off


there is a spring under the plate and horn contact thing it preloads the upper column bearings in the upper housing assembly

The ones I've taken apart had a black plastic cover over the lock plate that had to be removed first. It just snaps off.

I got it off with the plastic on it, it didn't hurt anything.