So I read through the search results for trunk lock on here and only found one thread talking about replacing the trunk lock cylinder, but that was on a convertible firebird, and I have a hard top trans am. So hopefully I'm not clogging up the posts with this.

Anyways, I went to replace my trunk lock cylinder yesterday and I'm a little confused. I got the white plastic piece for the cable removed without breaking it and the clamp holding the lock cylinder off easily so the lock is out. But at the back end, there is a rod sticking out that sits in a certain position in that plastic clip I'm assuming to turn the cable when the key is in it. The new lock cylinder I bought doesn't have that rod sticking out the back end of the lock. And every picture I see online from other sites looks exactly like mine does, without that rod sticking out the back. I don't see how that rod is removeable because when I wiggle it the part you out the key in moves with it, which tells me it's somehow attached to that, and if I somehow removed that section that wouldn't help me seeing as how the reason I'm replacing it is it was binding up pretty good, but I lost the key a month ago. The new lock cylinder came with this 6" long metal tool I think it is, but not positive what it is. My door lock cylinders didn't come with it.

So am I just nuking this or is there some sort of secret to this? I feel stupid that I am being defeated by this lock.

 

I just replaced my door and hatch cylinders not even an hour ago, bought a 5 lock set from Classic Industries. Took me 20 minutes. Does the old and new cylinder look alike? Post pics. This is my old one:

 

My old one looks exactly like the one you posted of your old one. My new one is missing that metal square piece sticking out the back of the cylinder that is attached to the key hole area(or so I think). That metal square sticking out the back has to set inside the plastic piece that the cable is in to actually release the lock when you turn the key. Every single lock cylinder I looked up online on o reileys or autozone looks like the one I bought, which doesn't have that square piece sticking out the back.

 

Post a pic. My new one looked like my old one.

 

This is the exact one I bought. Came with everything pictured.

 

That looks like a first gen trunk lock:

http://www.classicindustries.com/pro...ts/tk1032.html

Regardless, it appears you received the wrong part.

 

The lock with the rod is for 82-85 trunk locks without a pulldown assembly.I have several of the hatch locks with square ends for a camaro if needed.Key is included too

 

That's not the issue, clearly the wrong lock. Third gens don't even use that style retainer on trunk.

 

Makes sense. When I bought all the locks a few months ago it was during the time that some guy at an o reilleys was working there that was giving me the wrong part every single time I dealt with him. I kind of just assumed it was the wrong one since that metal rod seemed to be attached to the key hole section. I'm going to try and return it now since I can't use it.