How to free up ignition switch?

[NY81TTASE]

This may be difficult to describe but when turning the ignition cylinder, it feels very  "gummed up". It isnt free turning, in the cold it is  tighter.  I'm guessing there is old grease that making it difficult...even the spring back after it starts feels slow.
It's been almost 20+ years since I removed an ignition cylinder and I hate the job.  I read that on the top side of the column is the switch mechanism. 
How should I go about loosening up the gummy turning feeling? I sprayed graphite into the key hole but it really didn't help much.
Also,,I found that there is a poor contact when turning the cylinder and checking my choke fuse. Lightly moving the cylinder makes connection go on and off

[b_hill_86]

You didn’t mention what year but if it’s 79+ is it possible the column collar is rotated slightly and the mechanism that prevents the key from being turned if not in park/neutral ?

[NY81TTASE]

Sorry,,its an 81 (in my screen name) and at the very bottom of my post.
The key definitely turns to all positions it just feels like someone stuck gum in its mechanism.

[b_hill_86]

O yea I didn’t see that. Sorry.

[NY81TTASE]

No problem.   Anyway, I figured it's easier to drop the column so I disconnected where the ignition rod went and squirted some cleaner in there. It looks like I will have to dig into the column and clean old grease. I really wanted to avoid that.

[roadking77]

Just to get to the ignition switch itself isnt that bad. But you will need a hub puller. If you dont have one Auto Zone loans them out.

[NY81TTASE]

I somewhat remember always having a problem trying to get the horn contact in the right position when putting on the wheel lock plate.
I guess I will have to open it up since I realized the wheel lock isn't working at all. A previous owner was definitely in there because the column hub was on wrong and I also think the shaft, if possible, is out of sync with the turning radius.  It's been 9 years since I had to use the steering wheel when the car was dropped off by flatbed. I turned the stwering wheel maybe a half a turn and hit the end of its travel.