I ordered a new cylinder from the dealer for under $60.00, and following advice from guys on this forum, replaced it in less than 10 minutes. You should consider doing it your self. If I can do it, anyone can!

$60 is a very good price, I think I paid around $100 (including a key; maybe two keys, I forget).

They came with a valet key and two master keys.

I appreciate the encouragement. :notworthy: Next thing you know, I'm gonna be doing brakes and suspension work :) But first I need tools :cool:

I have no problem taking anything apart, it's just getting things back together without breaking something that usually worries me. That's okay, because sooner or later, I'll get a camera and document my adventures ;)

Thanks again!

you should already have the tools necessary to change the brake pads on your car, and flush the brakes too, it's worth it. for that you will need a 8 or 10mm box end wrench. I would buy a set of gearwrenches in metric, they are awesome and well worth it... DON"T buy the store brand of gear wrenches... very annoying!
to do the brakes right, you should really have a floor jack and a pair of jack stands. but you can do it one wheel at a time with the car's trunk tools.
all that's required to get the pads out is a screwdriver and a nail or those needle nose pliers again...

I have access to a floor jack and jackstands when I get back up to MA. We also have a bit of tools, but I'll probably get a set of my own (Craftsman, perhaps?)

When I do my brakes, I want to put new rotors on as well...and fix the e-brake (which doesn't do a whole lot at the moment).

If I do a lot of stuff myself, I can rationalize more tools :D (and my girlfriend can't argue with the money I spend :D)

I think something like this would be well within my price range. Should I find a torque wrench, too? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934239000P?vName=Tools&cName=Tool+Sets&sName=Mechanics+Tool+Sets

Craftsman are fine tools! and they are made here in Gastonia NC...

an impact wrench is best tool to have for changing the rotors, but if you don't have one, be sure and bolt the hub back on the tire after you have pulled it from the car so you have more to work with for loosening the bolts back there.

um, you don't actually believe there is any way to prevent a woman from arguing with you over money you spend do you?


ooh that's a good set, I have the same one... well most of it...
and for a torque wrench, I would get a kobalt from Lowe's if I were you. and get a tube of loctite Blue paste for the bolts on the rotors!

All depends on your financial circumstances what and how to buy tools. Or the old expression is there are more than several ways to skin a cat. I always have to add a disclaimer when using certain expressions.

Anyways you require initially a set of metric allen key sockets. Three eighths drive ratchet with deep and shallow sockets. Assortment of screwdrivers. Plus a set of metric hand wrenches that feel comforatable in your hand.

I personally like the longer variety of wrench chrome plated. A cheap digital meter for twenty dollars or less and learn to use it. If you become familiar with it. Future savings on many electrical things is unbelievable.

I would put off buying certain things like a hand vaccum pump and gauge until the need arises. A cheap but careful selection of harbour freight 1/2 inch power bar and rachet plus a set of metric impact sockets is useful as well. Very hard to impossible to damage them or wear them in any fashion when used as a hand tool over an air driven impact wrench.

If you are comforatable with the price of the sears set thats okay too. It does include a good assortment of sae size tools as well as metric. From time to time you need those as well. I just seem to use mine less and less but I still need them.
Pliers like needle nose and diagonal cutters plus more conventional types are an absolute requirement as well as a good vice grip brand vice grip plier. Never ever buy another brand of those. I have yet to find another companies copy of them that are anywhere near their strength. Keep an eye on ebay for tools as well. Plus occasionally yard type sales etc turn up good stuff.

You could mention casually to the girlfriend. We saved 105.00 labour when I changed out the lock asembley on the car. That was about 1/2 the cost of the sears tool set. The next small job if I do it instead of paying labour the tools are basically free after that or even present a surplus af cash. Use what works. :) Woman do tend to respond well to good financial decisions. Makes the next aquisition of tools easier to sell as well.

Actually my wife put it all together herself years ago. She would rather see me buy tools than not. Fully aware they more than pay for themselves. Usually many many times over and over. Then when I kick the bucket she gets the salvage value I suppose.
I do not know the salvage value of all those tools aquired over a lifetime but it is probably substantial. My only request was for her not to give them to the next guy that comes along after me. She told me not to concern myself about that. Harry cannot really repair anything.:eek:

My wife likes me to have tools so I spend more time under a car, and less time in the house.

That may be an additional stratagy of my wifes as well. Never considered it before. .

Got my tools ordered today. I found another set for the same price with two more wrenches...odd. Fine by me :cool:. It even had $25 off (of every mechanics tool set) http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934240000P?keyword=00934240000&sLevel=0

My girlfriend was good about it. She even helped me compare all the different tool sets. She's really good with numbers (PhD candidate in Physics), so, all I really had to say is if I saved that much money on rekeying the ignition...just imagine the other jobs I need to do... :P No resistance whatsoever. :)

PS. I should have access to an impact wrench in our shop. I'm pretty sure I've seen one around. Not sure about the metric impact sockets, but I can always buy a couple if I need. Much cheaper than the impact wrench itself. :scholar:

I'm also armed with a set of 8" digital calipers from back when I worked in QC. They're simply amazing :D They don't call them super calipers for nothing :)

Depends on the year. My '91s came with a valet key (no red dot), two master keys (red dot), and one key without the plastic head (wallet key).

I don't know about your '87, I never bought an '87 new.

OOPS, I meant to post this on another thread, similar discussion.....:o

Hmmm, brass dust? I wounder if that's my problem.

My key does not want to turn. It's like the cylinder is jammed. If I jiggle it a bit, or a lot it will then suddenly turn.

My car has 450,000 miles and the key that came with it appears to be brass and very worn (lots of miles).

I got new keys from the dealer, nice sharp steel.

But is sounds like brass keys wear and the shavings or minute bits of brass over the years jam the lock cylinder.

Can you just remove the cylinder and tap or blow out some of the filling to free up the lock instead of installing a new one?

Hard time to unscrew collar
 

I did ecaxtly as above. Used thin brazing wire, filed both ends 60 degrees inside, turned to second click, inserted the wire in both holes till it bottomed in but can not unscrew the the collar even with the needle nose plier. I put the needle nose plier ends in the collar holes and tried to unscrew it but will not budge. Am I not doing it right?