Hopefully this gets around and helps some poor sucker like me one day 72+ trucks/cars with tilt column:

Today I come out to my truck ignition almost acts like its bound, then spins free, absolutely no distinction from "lock" to "start". Thought it was a lock cylinder, cool, deal with it when I get home. The ignition cylinder is supposed to spin free by itself off of the column, dont let that indicate a bad cylinder, if the whole thing spins free it is more than likely this.

What actually happened is what is called the Ignition Switch Rack Gear grenaded in the column.


(proper part)
gm, buick, cadillac, chevrolet, oldsmobile, & pontiac ignition acutators & rack gears | Steering Column Services

I apologize I didnt get any pics of the process, was an exceptionally frustrating day, however follow this pdf to the T (obviously in reverse) and all is easy and done.
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...ck_Rebuild.pdf

Couple things that helped me:
1) undo knee bolster to take up slack from wires to allow the turn signal/hazard switch assy to come over the steering stem and to allow the upper half cover to be removed. let it hang by the wires it isnt gonna hurt anything.

2) when removing the hinges from the upper column half you can use a screw, thread it in and use a pair of needle nose as the lever. Take your time applying pressure, the screw will probably bend a bit but it will come out

3) take the spring with the cap with a square cut out out of the column before trying to remove the upper column half. A 3/16" square piece fits in it (made in the form of a 3/8" drive socket) turn counter clockwise about 1/4 turn and remove it slowly.

It will make sense when you get in there, hope this helped someone like me with not a clue in the world why the ignition switch isnt the only thing to physically move and start the truck. Feel free to PM me with anything technical.