'97 1500 Steering column/ignition locked up

anyone with any help please?!

i have a 97 sierra 1500 2wd sle and have my steering wheel/gear selector/ignition all locked up. i believe it's mostly my ignition, because i cant get it to budge. the things done it before and i was told it was an older GM problem with the ignition and there isnt much to do about it. i used to be able to jiggle the steering wheel back and forth and keep twisting the key and ignition and eventually it would free it up and work. the wheels are straight and it never seems to matter if i'm on a grade or if it's flat. it's been 2 days now and each day i go out and jiggle and wiggle this thing for 1/2 hour. i'm tired of riding my motorcycle to work at night now that it's down into the low 40's. i've checked around on the internet, (of course manufacturers are no help) and the best i've found are suggestions to replace the whole column. i'll be danged and i'll peel the thing myself and steal my own car before i replace a whole column!

thanks in advance
aaron