how were you able to pull the whole assembly off? the two bolts on the side have a funny cone shape looking piece.

 

I know this thread is very old and "dead", but I had the same issue and after a bit of tinkering was able to figure out what the problem ACTUALLY is.

First off, the screws are "security screws". They have heads on them which are designed to shear off when torqued down. So if you want to remove your lock cylinder you have to drill out the bolts and replace them. I don't recommend that though as that does not solve the problem I had.

Secondly, to confirm the problem you are having is the same as the problem I am having, check to see if the steering wheel is able to turn with the key inserted and in any of the positions other than "off". In my case, even with the key in the "ACC", "ON", and "START" position the steering wheel was still locked. This is the key to verifying that the problem you have is the same as the one I am going to describe the fix for.

So what is the problem and how do you fix it? To start off, there are three parts we need to define first. The first is the ignition switch, this is the thing you were most likely swapping out when you got yourself into this situation in the first place. The second is the lock cylinder, that is the thing the key gets inserted into and turns. The third part is what connects the two, we'll call it the tumbler extender even though I'm fairly certain that is not the correct name for it. Here is a photo of the part of the lock cylinder that engages the tumbler extender:
https://images.thewrenchmonkey.ca/pr...350-2KOw2t.jpg.
Here is a photo of a lock cylinder with an integrated tumbler extender:
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/00...g?v=1609863672
It is a fairly small piece that goes between the ignition switch and lock cylinder and turns the ignition switch when you turn the lock cylinder. Importantly, it is spring loaded on the lock cylinder side in order to allow the lock cylinder to press in while you are removing the key. For me, while installing the switch I believe I most likely didn't align the new ignition switch with the tumbler extender perfectly, which caused the tumbler extender to get pushed in towards the lock cylinder. Since there is a spring between the two, this merely compressed the spring and allowed the tumbler extender to move decently towards the lock cylinder. Importantly, the tumbler extender includes half of the mechanism for the steering wheel lockout. Because this mechanism acts on rotational movement, misaligning the tumbler extender axially from where it should be in the lock cylinder housing disengages this system. Once this system is disengaged, it is difficult to impossible for it to "find it's way" back into engagement (some might consider this a safety feature). It also prevents the lock cylinder from being pressed in to allow the key to be removed. It also causes tension between the lock cylinder and the housing, making it more difficult to depress the pin which holds the lock cylinder into the housing.

The solution:
Get a good punch that is the right size for the lock cylinder pin shown in the photos above by others. This is the pin that allows you to remove the lock cylinder. Put your key in "ACC" mode. Hammer on the pin with the punch while lightly pulling on the key to remove the lock cylinder. This shouldn't be crazy hard to do, it should just take like 3 decent taps (not wacks). Once the lock cylinder is out, remove the tumbler extender and get a small long screwdriver. NOTE: my tumbler extender had some scratches on it from being installed in the incorrect position and me rotating the lock cylinder, I took this opportunity to very lightly file these scratches down so they wouldn't cause any future problems. Locate the steering wheel lockout switch, you'll know it's the right thing because when you press it down you'll be able to turn your steering wheel and when you let it spring back up your steering wheel won't be able to turn anymore. While holding the steering wheel lockout switch down, install the tumbler extender into the lock cylinder housing, keeping in mind the correct orientation. The correct orientation is so that it will properly mate up with the lock cylinder when the lock cylinder is in "ACC". Note that the tumbler extender has a cutout on the part that engages the lock cylinder such that the lock pin of the lock cylinder can be pushed into the groove while the lock cylinder is in "ACC" but not with any other position. This should be with the groove that engages the lock cylinder vertical and the groove for the lock pin facing the driver's seat. Once the tumbler extender is installed correctly, install the lock cylinder, leave the lock cylinder in "ACC" and install the ignition switch, verifying that the tumbler extender aligns with ignition switch and you don't do the same thing twice.

Finish install and verify that everything works.