I have a 1995 Ford Ranger 4.0 automatic transmission.

The ignition switch actuator rod/pin broke so I have replaced it. However I have a problem. The lock lever actuator that the pin slides into will not come out of the steering actuator housing unit. In one of the videos I was watching it simply falls out, mine did not and will not. It can slide back and forth but I cannot figure out how to remove it completely. The reason for removing the actuator lock lever, is because I need to be able to connect the actuator rod/pin into the actuator lock lever and I can't do this unless it's outside of the steering actuator housing unit. I know it can only be removed one way but its catching on something?

I have attached pictures to show you what I am dealing with. Any help is much appreciated.

Thank you.

 

I figured it out and it seems like a no-brainer now. It came to me in a dream believe it or not.

The last picture where my index finger is pointing to that metal piece. It's held in there by a pin, that has to be pushed out. I had to hit this thing out, it was not moving and not easy. Once that metal piece was removed, the lock lever actuator fell out.

 

I often dream solutions, It us a good asset to have. It means your brain is working on the solution while you sleep