I found a rusty '73 Duster parts car. Owner lost the key. Doors are unlocked, so I'm wondering about the easiest way to pull the ign cylinder from the column without actually removing much of anything. Just to unlock the wheel and get it up onto my trailer. The old movies showed car thieves inserting a slide hammer tool and simply pulling the cylinder in one strike. I don't want the column, so I don't care about damage to the cylinder. Can I drill out the tumblers quickly, or pry/pull out the cylinder?
Thanks in advance.

Just disconnect the linkage at the trans or bottom of the column, put it in N and roll. No need to damage anything you might be able to use or sell.

Locking column no?

Pull the steering wheel and push the lock pin down or remove the lockplate

i agree on pulling the wheel and removing the lock plate, plus hop under, or under the hood, and unhook the transmission linkage to get neutral.
by the time a guy screws around with a slide hammer, hammer and chisel [wacking ones hand and learning kewl new words in the process ], etc, you can do the above in the same amount of time, saving aggravation and self inflicted pain. which of course, any bystanders will find extremely entertaining.

Use a small drill bit and drill the pins out of the cylinder. No need to remove anything.

X 3 Doesn't take long to remove the wheel. If you're strong enough, you don't need a puller. Leave the nut on for a thread or 2 so you don't smack yourself in the face with the wheel and then pull on the wheel. My Dad taught me that trick years ago.




Tim

This

Cordless drill, no crawling under car, done in 2 minutes

X3 You aren't going to be able to save the cylinder anyway. Drill the cylinder lengthwise a little below the bottom of the key slot and you'll take all the pins out. Cylinder will turn with no problem.

I was hoping it would be this easy. I'll just grab my battery powered drill when I go see it in case it comes home with me. Do I need a hardened bit? Or is it soft metal in there.

You don't need anything special. Just be aware that drilling though the cylinder lock pins isn't smooth drilling. Don't rush things, there is always a chance of hanging the bit up and breaking it. That would not be good.

having worked with small drill bits my entire career, it takes a careful feel with the speed [rpm] and feed rate to be successful in drilling deep holes [more than 1/8-3/16"] in solid material, let alone an "interrupted" cut, like you will encounter drilling out the lock pins. add in using a hand drill that can "catch" the pins and break, because the rpm and feed rate [pushing on the hand drill] usually varies, try this knowing the bit breakage possibility up front.
it can be done [i have done it, so how hard can it be ? ], but most guys get in a hurry.
just my experience, your mileage will vary.............

big flat blade screwdriver with hex on shaft, put in key slot turn with wrench

If you're going to drill, why use small bit?
Go big or don't bother.

Interesting, how does this work? Hammer the flat blade into the key slot, and just force it past the tumblers?

Thanks for all the replies guys.
Think I'll bring a 5/8" hardened bit and drill it out

IMHO, even if you are removing something you don't need at the moment, that is no excuse to go medieval on it unless that is your only choice. Shoot, you could cut the steering column in two pieces with a torch and accomplish the same thing.