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C3 78 Steering wheel lock plate

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Old Feb 16, 2018 | 04:56 PM
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Default C3 78 Steering wheel lock plate

OK..After Disassembling the steering wheel and removing the lock plate on my C3 1978 w/cruise and T & T, I come to the part where the lock plate is to go back in????
So how do I compress the lock plate and spring underneath it to re-install the horse shoe clip that holds it in place????
Please photos if any would help.

DB
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Old Feb 16, 2018 | 06:35 PM
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I made a simple jig out of mild steel flat bar stock. I drilled three holes , the center hole large enough to allow the steering shaft to fit through it, then on either side of the large hole drill holes for a 1/4X20 bolt. Use two 1/4X20 X 3" bolts with nuts to apply pressure onto the steering lock plate, use the main shaft and steering wheel nut to place the pressure down onto the jig. You can adjust the 1/4"X20 bolt length using two nuts on each bolt. I used this jig for both removing and replacing the lock plate. I made this jig using materials I had laying around in about ten minutes. Lots of luck. Russ
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Old Feb 16, 2018 | 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Douglas Brown
OK..After Disassembling the steering wheel and removing the lock plate on my C3 1978 w/cruise and T & T, I come to the part where the lock plate is to go back in????
So how do I compress the lock plate and spring underneath it to re-install the horse shoe clip that holds it in place????
Please photos if any would help.

DB
If it's anything like a '72, this is what you use. Just curious, how did you remove the lockplate in the first place??? you should have had to use a tool similar to this one.
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Old Feb 16, 2018 | 06:47 PM
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This is the tool I use, it threads into the shaft and locks the telescoping while it depresses the plate.
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Old Feb 16, 2018 | 07:08 PM
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Youtube has a couple of videos and in them mention getting the tool as a rental from the auto store for free.( PM sent.)
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Old Feb 16, 2018 | 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by rberman999
I made a simple jig out of mild steel flat bar stock. I drilled three holes , the center hole large enough to allow the steering shaft to fit through it, then on either side of the large hole drill holes for a 1/4X20 bolt. Use two 1/4X20 X 3" bolts with nuts to apply pressure onto the steering lock plate, use the main shaft and steering wheel nut to place the pressure down onto the jig. You can adjust the 1/4"X20 bolt length using two nuts on each bolt. I used this jig for both removing and replacing the lock plate. I made this jig using materials I had laying around in about ten minutes. Lots of luck. Russ
Good work. Thanks for the idea.
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Old Feb 16, 2018 | 09:55 PM
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[QUOTE=kansas123;1596607188]If it's anything like a '72, this is what you use. Just curious, how did you remove the lockplate in the first place??? you should have had to use a tool similar to this one.[/QUOTE

well, funny you should ask, a screw driver flat blade and just worked it out.
Putting it back was the trick. I kept reading the info on how to do it and it did not make sense to me, then it hit me, they were talking about the Star set screw that sits in the center of the tel. shaft that locks it in place. BUT that was to big and would not allow the tool to pass over it and attach to the shaft, SO I made a set screw from some thread stock I had and it worked.

DB

Last edited by Douglas Brown; Feb 16, 2018 at 09:57 PM.
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Old Feb 16, 2018 | 09:58 PM
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Originally Posted by '75
This is the tool I use, it threads into the shaft and locks the telescoping while it depresses the plate.
Vary good job, 2 in one tool.....smart.

DB
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Old Feb 17, 2018 | 05:58 PM
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[QUOTE=Douglas Brown;1596608572]
Originally Posted by kansas123
If it's anything like a '72, this is what you use. Just curious, how did you remove the lockplate in the first place??? you should have had to use a tool similar to this one.[/QUOTE

well, funny you should ask, a screw driver flat blade and just worked it out.
Putting it back was the trick. I kept reading the info on how to do it and it did not make sense to me, then it hit me, they were talking about the Star set screw that sits in the center of the tel. shaft that locks it in place. BUT that was to big and would not allow the tool to pass over it and attach to the shaft, SO I made a set screw from some thread stock I had and it worked.

DB
Yes, sorry, I forgot to mention you will need something to take the place of the star bolt to lock the telescopic on the wheel. I had to fashion the bolt head too; too lazy to run to the store for a hex head set screw....glad everything worked out!
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