How do you remove the steering wheel on 1988 GMC s15?

You are better off taking it out from the inside of the steering column after removing the steering wheel. When the cylinder is rotated it moves a shaft that travels down the inside of the steering column that activates the ignition. There are on wires attached to the cylinder that will give you ignition. If you must drill it out you will need at least a 1/2 ins to 3/4 ins drill and that will butcher it.

i think you meant Ignition switch.
really a 1988> no 1998?
the latter has air bags, and BOOM are very very dangerous.
yes, you are fiddling plastic covers. use a flash light.
covers, are you talking the steering column combo surround covers?
remove the screws , under under, do down, and look up, bingo?
i hope its a real 88,
i login to alldata.com
i look at lock removal.
7 steps, you are stuck at step 2

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the steering column lower cover. Disconnect the ignition switch wire connector from the dash fuse box.
3. Insert the key and place on the 0 position.
4. Remove the 2 screws and replace the base of the switch.

1. To remove the lock, remove the steering wheel and the steering column covers.
2. Center punch each of the shear bolts and drill their heads off with a 3/16 in. drill bit. Be careful not to damage the switch body when removing the shear head.
3. Remove the shear bolts from the switch body.

end remove.
ask questions.

Hello, Dan. First, disconnect the negative (-)/ground on the battery Dan are you mechanically inclined. If not then don't attempted this job.

You will need to remove all the plastic covers on the steering column. Remove the horn ring.--two screws under the steering wheel. Remove the horn ring and disconnect the horn plug. Remove the steering wheel nut. Use a steering wheel puller to remove the steering wheel.

Remove the turn signal switch that fit around the upper part of the steering column. Then remove the some of the parts that are associated with the steering wheel and/or column.

Now, look at the ignition switch flange, it a big chunk of aluminum. Now look for a large aluminum dowel pin 5/8" in diameter that is driven into the chuck of aluminum but it is parallel to the steering column.

This aluminum dowel pin will have to be drill out before you can get ignition housing off, If there is adjustable steering column lever, remove this also.

Now, once the dowel pin has been removed, looking for a **** in the ignition housing. Take chisel and insert into this ****, drive the chisel into the **** until the ignition housing is loose to be remove by sliding it up over the steering column.

If you buy a new ignition switch, on purchase the switch with keys. Don't buy the hole new ignition housing.. If you do it will get expensive.

In the ignition (old) housing drive out the ignition switch pins that keeps the ignition switch in the housing. Install the new ignition switch re-insert the ignition switch hold pins.

I am fairly sure that Carquest/ NAPA some other larger auto parts will have ignition housing bolt. If they try to sell you a replacement aluminum dowel pin don't buy it. It is almost impossible to install the aluminum dowel pin without the proper tools, so use a bolt to squeeze ignition housing together.

Before putting everything back together. Now, check the new ignition switch to make sure it works. I wish you lot of luck. GB...stewbison

lets start simple.get a can of silacone spray oil and spray into the switch and keep moving key and you will find this will reliese the key,if you need to remove the ign switch dont panic as its a simple enough job.Forget about steering wheel and whatever,simply remove the outer plastic cover then this exposes the switch at the back of switch is a plug with wires pull it away ,then below the key you should see a tiny screw undo, and make sure the steering lock is not under pressure,ie steering wheel free,when trying to remove switch move steering wheel back/forward and switch should pull out.good luck.adrian,,,,

you need a steering wheel puller, you must remove the air bag first. dont forget to disconnect the battery .

if you want to change ign switch it is bolted to the steering column if you want to replace the key lock cyl you need to remove steering wheel and turn signal switch but you need special tools to do that

disconnect neg battery terminal -remove steering wheel will need a puller some auto stores let u borrow these tools -remove turn signal switch not necessary to totally remove switch pull far enough rearward to slip over shaft but dont pull harness out of column --turn key to run -remove the lock retaining screws dont drop into column -remove lock -screw torque is 40 inch lbs for reg column 22 for adjustable column

if your key won't work ,the steering wheel has to come off to replace key switch - special tools needed - if the problem is engine not starting or cranking over - the electric switch the key rod goes down to is on the bottom of the steering column above brake pedal

its not that had to replace the ignition switch, remove the steering wheel, u will need to buy a ighition removal tool, push plate down, remove plate and the switch will slide right out.. go to advanced auto parts and they will tell you all the tools you will need to replace the switch, and they have a loaner tool program, so just buy the tool and take it back and get your money back.. good luck keith...

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