thanks ijaved , I got it! I thought once the key was in position 1 you weren't supposed to move it. But once I rotated the black cylinder and jiggled the key back toward position zero, it came apart. I removed the spring and pin and put it back together - all done thanks and thanks to rekcah again!

Everything seems to be fine. But, when the motor is running, the key seems easy to turn to the off position. Maybe its me. With all that GM key stuff, should I be concerned and replace the whole assembly?

many thanks.
upstate NY crossfire - not many of us....