Ignition lock removal question

[April Thompson]

How do I remove the theft-deterrent ring on my ignition lock without breaking the darn thing? Or is there a sneaky way to move the lock (as I'm only replacing the dash pad and not the lock) without dismantling the lock? Really wish there was a shop manual readily available!

Edit: P.S.: my car is an '04...

[02NavyBlue]

You're just trying to remove/replace the cover over the column right?

[April Thompson]

Sorry; forgot to mention it's an 04. No, it's part of the HUD upgrade; I decided to swap out the dash instead of cutting a hole in the old one. So the lock is in the dash, not the column...

[spazzz]

Are you talking about this?

[April Thompson]

Nah; I got that out. But behind it, in the ignition lock/switch, there's a plastic ring that keeps me from simply removing it from the dash. Hang on and I'll try to get a picture...

Here it is; hope you can see the ring in question, as it's dark in the garage and I had to shine a flashlight and snap this pic simultaneously!

[April Thompson]

Update: I found a salvage car (first one with curtain airbags I'd ever encountered, BTW) with a junk HUD spring but intact screen, so I (carefully!) pulled the HUD module. Along the way, I saw its ignition cylinder was also intact, including the theft deterrent ring in question. Going on a tip (and thankfully the key was also there!), I removed the cylinder from the switch... and the ring went with the cylinder!!! So... result!

...And I'd better mention that I wriggled the still-assembled lock cylinder-switch out of the dash without damage to that ring; I tilted the back of the switch down, and there was enough flex to let it pop out! That being said, I'm going to try to remove the cylinder before moving the switch from the dash; there's an access port between the two bolts-a slot, really-that looks as if I can get a 90-degree offset screwdriver or pick in to push the retainer pin in... More on that later.