[TDS-MN]

It can be removed and replaced with the column in-place. You may want to partially drop the column from the dash, to allow a LITTLE bit better access for reaching in there to work, though. There are 3 different size nuts I needed to remove on my '85 to get the ignition switch out and replaced, it is tedious work, and hard to see what you are working on when it's under the dash like that.

Yes, the rod is actualted by the key switch in the column, and sldes from ACCESSORY to OFF to RUN to START. It is critical to get the switch in the proper position related to where the key and rod are when installing. But at least if you get all the mounting screws lined up 100% corectly, it should go back together and work just fine. Don't think that 'close enough' will work, because if not lined up perfectly, things won't work properly. Take your time and be sure of your work.

I swapped out my ignition switch when I was trying to track down a no-voltage no-start problem. Advice I got on the various forums was to check wiring, as the switch itself is NOT a high failure-rate part. I probed with my voltmeter and results were pointing towards a bad switch. But in the ned it turned out to be a wire on my engine-side of the fire wall, had corroded and broken off the junction block near the brake master cylinder. But on the positive side, I got to where I could remove and replace the ignition switch fairly quickly, after doing it over and over a few times before finding the broken wire under-hood. LOL!