steering lock/ignition problem

[jacqui]

I've never had a problem with this before this week, but almost every time I try to drive my car now the ignition is locked. It feels the same as when my wheel is locked, and I have to pull on it in order to get the key to turn. This happens now even when my wheel is perfectly straight. It takes a lot of force to get the wheel to move, too. The key moves smoothly into the ignition and feels fine turning once I manage to unlock the wheel, and it unlocks the doors and the trunk. I read in the archives that the problem might be the a worn out lock cylinder, but I also read that the key usually doesn't turn smoothly when that is worn out.
Is there anything else it could be? What should I try replacing, and where should I buy the part?


Thanks in advance for your advice.