I'm trying to put my steering column back together and I can't get the lock plate to compress enough to reveal the slots that the C shaped retainer slides into. It's a 79 with tilt/tele. I have a lock plate compressor tool but it's of no use with the telescopic funtion because is just pulls the rod that the wheel actually bolts on to out. Is there some kind of tool to use to compress the lock plate with a telescopic column?

 

Amusing post for a guy in MECHANICSVILLE......oh well....


the best solution I know of is to put in the star wheel that locks/unlocks the tele function...and tighten it down securely enough to use the backside of the star screw/wheel for leverage with the lock plate.....kinds hard to esplain....

GENE

 

Mr vette, thanks for the help, it took 2 guys to get it back together, but I was out cruising in the 80 degree sun today!

 

ALLWAYS better to be crusing then bruising.....

GENE

 

did the same thing last week ,it took two people to do the job.. also crusing in 80 deg weather today in sunny florida

 

Mr Vette, your are so right, and I would have been pissed to have missed out on taking a spin on such a nice day. There can't be too many of these days left until spring.

 

About 800 miles down I 95 there are PLENTY of nice days coming up....




GENE

 

It's midnight and it's still 63 here

sorry

 

If the column is out of the car you can do what we did and use a large C clamp and some large sockets. Use one end of the clamp on the metal bracket and the other to compress with the lugnut as an extesion to push the plate down and twist away!

 

The easiest way to remove the C-clip from the upper shaft is to use a special bridge tool that compresses the shaft lock plate. This special tool can be purchased or borrowed from most automotive stores.

In order for the bridge tool to work, the upper steering shaft must be prevented from telescoping. You must place the shaft in its shortest position and lock it in place by tightening the “star” screw onto the locking rod inside the steering shaft. Also note that some of the special bridge tools may interfere with the “star” screw. If this is the case with your tool, you will need to install and tighten a 5/16-18 UNC set screw (#20 Allen screw) in place of the “star” screw.

Now, compress the shaft lock plate just enough to remove the C-clip. If you used a set screw, be sure to remember to remove it from inside the upper steering shaft when you are done! You won’t be able to unlock the telescope function if it is left behind.

One other tip:
I order to gain access to the C-clip you must remove a plastic retainer that covers it. Most plastic C-clip retainers have become very brittle with age and will break into pieces when you try to remove it. Although it is called a retainer, it also functions as the horn electrical ground path insulator. You must replace it. Without it, you will find that the telescoping spring that is part of the lower horn contact will touch the metal lock plate and your horn will blow continuously. The C-clip retainer can be obtained from many Corvette suppliers including:
GM dealers - Part #7808385 - Retainer
Zip Products - Part #SC-517 - 69-82 Cancelling Cam Plastic Retainer

Jim

 

Jim yeah, the retainer did exactly what you said, it broke into about 20 pcs. Fortunately I can almost walk to Zip Products, so I picked up a new one Saturday.