70 Mach1 Steering column

[ken testa]

I am having a problem with the ignition switch steering and key lock assembly. I have a 70 mach 1 with a 4 speed. You have to put the car in reverse to lock the steering and remove the ignition key. It worked fine until yesterday. I could not rotate the ignition key out of the lock position. That left me unable to start the car or unlock the steering. I removed the steering wheel and the directional turn signal assembly. I also disconnected the linkage to the starter switch mounted on top of the steering column. I removed the four Philips screws that hold the ignition key section of the column from the rest of the column. I still can't remove the ignition key section of the column from the rest of the column. It is loose but won't come apart. It feels like there is some kind of linkage between the key assembly and the rest of the column. How do I separate the key switch section of the steering column from the rest of the column and what could be the reason that I can't unlock the ignition key switch to unlock the steering wheel and start the car? Any help would be greatly appreciated. My car is dead in the water!! If you have a diagram of the steering column parts it might help me figure out what's wrong. Thanks a million. Ken