Does anyone out there know where I can get the tool that depresses the lock plate on a late 70's early 80's non tilt gm steering column? I got the plate off ok, now I'm having a hell of a time getting the spring depressed enough to get the snap ring back in the groove. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Any chance a tube with windows cut in two sides would work? Compress spring with tube, use screwdriver to lever the snap ring down. Did similar to a pair of valve springs on a Honda 305 I hopped up. The windows were so I could install the valve keepers.
Most parts stores sell the tool, or they used to at least. KD made them. But now I see there are some lock plate/steering wheel puller kits out there http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=lock+plate+compressor&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=1
It's easy to make a tool to press the lock plate down. Find a nut that will screw onto your steering shaft where the steering wheel slides on. Then get a piece of 1/4"X 1" strap iron bend it into a U that will be the correct width to set at the outside of the locking ring. In the center of the bottom of the U drill 7/16" hole. Now get a piece of 3/8" all thread and weld the nut that screws onto the steering shaft to the end of the all thread. Screw the all thread to the shaft, place the U over the all thread then screw a nut onto the all thread down against the U until the U presses down on the lock plate so you can install or remove the snap ring. Sounds complicated, but it's easy to make this tool. OR, you can possibly rent/borrow this tool from Autozone, other parts stores, or a local shop. The tool is very common because of the column's tendency to become loose and need repair.
Yeah, rpol that's what I'm gonna do. I'm not spending $30 for a simple tool that I'm gonna use once. I work in a machine shop so it should be pretty quick to throw together
Before I finally bought the tool I,d just put a box end wrench over the shaft and screw the nut on a ways. I,d then stand a socket on end and pry the wrench down on the socket using the length of the wrench for leverage.Since the nut isn,t going anywhere the socket would push the plate down but slightly on an angle. It pushed it down far enough to get the snap ring back in though....
Well, I got the stupid ring on. I made a tool at work, it went on in like 30 seconds. Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions.
I paid $14.99 for the tool at Advanced Auto. Comes with a couple of sleeves that screw on the shaft and cover up the splines, for different columns. But it wouldn't have been a big deal to make one - an extra steering wheel nut, a piece of tube, a small nut on a plate in the other end would be the same thing. Just make sure the raised part of the lock plate faces out. I put mine back on wrong and the steering wheel would only align about 90' off.
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