(1985 with tilt/telescoping steering wheel) with as much detail as I can muster at this time of night; After installing a new cylinder lock in the column I was attempting to put the snap ring back in front of the lock plate with the lock plate compressor. While compressing, the shaft pulled out from the steering column. I can put the shaft back in the column but it just slides in and out not giving me a place to use the plate compressor. I can muscle the lock plate without the compressor and even though I can push it all the way back with the spring compressed it is still a tad short of the start of the snap ring valley, so something has moved or it needs the pressure pulling outward on the shaft to give it the extra 1/16" I need.
am I missing something that belongs on the shaft. Something that went missing when it came apart. My book calls the shaft a "bolt and spring assembly" it has a small rod down the center and a key that fits in the end to keep it in line and not twist, I don't see a spring. (except the spring that goes under the lock plate). I'm also not sure what the small rod down the center of the shaft is doing or not doing as the case may be.
I had no trouble taking the snap ring off, shaft held the pull from compressor fine.
I'll get some photos posted later in the day.

 

The reason that you were able to remove the retainer is that it was holding the upper shaft in the lower shaft. In order to install the lock ring, you must use the adjust bolt, (this is the bolt that the telescope adjust lever is fastened to.) and tighten it against the rod that is inside of the upper shaft. This will lock the upper shaft in the lower shaft and allow you to compress the lock plate enough to install the retainer.

 

Got it on no sweat, Thanks for the help, Cheers.

 

I attempted this and the inside shaft ( or bolt ) still slid out. I am having a heck of a time getting the plate down far enough to install the clip. Any suggestions?

 

Did you break the lower column shear pin? I'm not familiar with your year, but my 92 had a lower column shaft with a telescope design held in a static position by a shear pin. It's very easily sheared, letting the column run in/out of the telescoping portion.

 

I thought that the lockplate tool had a threaded rod that went into the upper shaft to lock the shaft from moving in or out. From there you could screw the outer sleeve down onto the threaded shaft then tighten the nut to compress the plate. I'm going from memory here...

Art