steering wheel lock question

[ejp2fast]

Ok, I may be going to look at an Escort Gt that has a lost key. In order to get the steering wheel to move (if I were to get this), what part of the ignition key lock cylinder deals with the steering wheel lock and how do I disable it? I am familiar with the shift lock cable on automatic festiva's, but without looking at an EGT, I thought I'd save time and ask.

[econoaddict]

Take the covers off the column and the switch/lock cylinder can be seen.
They are held down by bolts that break off when tightened, the assembly just kinda clamps down to the main column, I usually just use a cut off wheel and put a slot in what's there and use a big screwdriver to remove them. Sometimes you can get vise grips on them and unscrew them.
Once this is unbolted from the column it will unlock the steering, it has a large piece that sticks down into the column locking it.

[ejp2fast]

excellent, thanks.. so the setup is identical more or less to the festiva.

[htchbck]

If you don't have a cutoff wheel (or power for it) available where you're going to be working you can also take a fine tipped punch and a good size hammer to basically beat them into turning... don't really know how to describe the actual action taken but basically hit it from the side kinda offset so it will turn counterclockwise. If that makes any sense. It will make more sense when you're actually looking at it probably lol. Once they are backed off a turn or so you can usually remove them by hand. I've grabbed a few ignition switches and unlocked a few columns that way at the junkyard when there was no wya to use a cutoff wheel. But Econo's way is the best if you have the tools and power available.