VW Rabbit .. need to change ignition/key lock

[KittyVonDuchin]

Hi...
My beautiful little rabbit was recently the victim of an attempted theft.... The creeps that tried to steal her.. totally ruined the ignition... looks like they tried to pull out the ignition with vice grips or something.. but all they actually managed to do was to 'smush' it so I cant really get the key in to turn it....
I REALLY dont want to pay to have it towed into a shop and fixed.. if this is something that is actually rather simple... simple enough that I can doit myself... which I am thinking it SHOULD be... anyone have "how to" advise for me??

also.. I think Im in market for a really good car alarm... so any suggestions there also appreciated!!

[zagrot]

probably the easiest way to replace the ignition lock is to go to a junkyard and find a vw with an ignition key that fits. remove the steering wheel and switches and the aluminum assembly that contains the lock. from there you just swap the whole thing, otherwise you'll be doing some drilling on the lock housing and you'll still need a good lock barrel anyway. if i remember correctly you'll need a 24mm socket to remove the steering wheel, a 6 or 7mm allen wrench to get the lock housing, and a 3/16 flat blade screw driver to remove the turn signal and wiper switch assemblies.