PLease help installing a lock plate on a 90s GM steering column

[ricky182]

1992 buick riviera 3.8L

Steering column lock plate help.

SO working on the steering column I had to remove the lock plate. Everything went well with my repair, I have the turn signal switch installed but I can not for the life of me get the lock plate spring pushed down far enough to slip in that little ring. I believe the part I am having trouble with is the top bearing inner race. Here is a link to how this looks exactly on my car.

http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/techinfo/tilt_repair/springremov.jpg

AS soon as i took off the spring that pushes the lock plate I noticed this race was just loosely sitting and the steering column just wobbles around. What am I doing wrong?

I did this in this order. I just moved the top bearing inner race as far back as it will go (it still just wobbles around with the steering column). then I put the spring in on top so that it touches the race. finally I place in the lock plate and compress it with the lock plate tool. However it simply will not compress enough for me to slip in the ring and lock it in place. Any tips would be helpfull. Am i doing something wrong ? Is there some part of the bearing that should go in before this race?

The picture with the red background in the last link is how I am inserting these parts. The spring sits on this race but I cant compress it enough. Like i cant get it aligned properly or something.

http://cdn.vanillaforums.com/cartal...eUpload/8f/0314a3c12f85b3595dba0e48f2e6d5.jpg

any help or tips on how to install the last few parts in a 90's GM steering column would be helpful.

 

[LTC8K6]

All I could find:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Steering-Column-Repair-2047/Lock-plate-far-enough.htm

 

[Bartman39]

ricky182... Might try pulling up on the steering shaft while depressing the plate...? I have found some of the steering shafts will drop just enough to prevent every thing from going together like it should...?

Also to note do you have the horn pin correctly lined up...? If not then I would make for sure it is lined up and then try to install the plate...?

If I remember correctly when the plate is down on the spring it should just go past where the lock ring that holds the plate should be able to slide down and lock onto the shaft and prevent the plate from coming back up... Unless something is holding it up...? (like the horn pin...?) (or the center shaft is dropped down...?)

 

[Raizinman]

There is a special tool, called a Lock Plate Removal/Installer tool. I've installed hundred of lock plates over the year, mainly due to stolen cars. You can purchase the tool from any good tool dealer such as SnapOn, Matco, or MAC. You might be able to rent the tool at your local auto parts store. Here is a link to what it looks like. They are only about $15 - $20 and can also be found on Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...al+tool&_nkw=lock+plate+removal+tool&_sacat=0

 

[LTC8K6]

There is a special tool, called a Lock Plate Removal/Installer tool. I've installed hundred of lock plates over the year, mainly due to stolen cars. You can purchase the tool from any good tool dealer such as SnapOn, Matco, or MAC. You might be able to rent the tool at your local auto parts store. Here is a link to what it looks like. They are only about $15 - $20 and can also be found on Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...al+tool&_nkw=lock+plate+removal+tool&_sacat=0

He seems to have that already...

I place in the lock plate and compress it with the lock plate tool

 

[boomerang]

I have had many of these apart in the past but it's been years and the assembly order is not fresh in my mind. Combine that with having done tilt columns and telescoping columns and it's all a bit of a blur. I believe you may have something in upside down. I would Google 'gm steering column schematic' and see if you can find one that will help you ensure everything is assembled in the right order and in the correct orientation.

I know exactly what Bartman39 is referring to. Sometimes you have to wiggle the depressing tool a bit before you start tightening it down in earnest and before you start tightening it down, everything is still a little loose and wiggly. It almost doesn't seem right that the spring pulls everything together with enough tension to keep it wobbling after it's put together.

The only other thing I can think of is to make sure the inner splines on the lockplate are aligned correctly with the splines on the shaft. That most certainly would keep it from depressing enough to get the ring in the groove.

Maybe your specific vehicle is listed here. http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com/

 

[The Greek]

1992 buick riviera 3.8L

Steering column lock plate help.

SO working on the steering column I had to remove the lock plate. Everything went well with my repair, I have the turn signal switch installed but I can not for the life of me get the lock plate spring pushed down far enough to slip in that little ring. I believe the part I am having trouble with is the top bearing inner race. Here is a link to how this looks exactly on my car.

http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/techinfo/tilt_repair/springremov.jpg

AS soon as i took off the spring that pushes the lock plate I noticed this race was just loosely sitting and the steering column just wobbles around. What am I doing wrong?

I did this in this order. I just moved the top bearing inner race as far back as it will go (it still just wobbles around with the steering column). then I put the spring in on top so that it touches the race. finally I place in the lock plate and compress it with the lock plate tool. However it simply will not compress enough for me to slip in the ring and lock it in place. Any tips would be helpfull. Am i doing something wrong ? Is there some part of the bearing that should go in before this race?

The picture with the red background in the last link is how I am inserting these parts. The spring sits on this race but I cant compress it enough. Like i cant get it aligned properly or something.

http://cdn.vanillaforums.com/cartal...eUpload/8f/0314a3c12f85b3595dba0e48f2e6d5.jpg

any help or tips on how to install the last few parts in a 90's GM steering column would be helpful.

1992 buick riviera 3.8L

Steering column lock plate help.

SO working on the steering column I had to remove the lock plate. Everything went well with my repair, I have the turn signal switch installed but I can not for the life of me get the lock plate spring pushed down far enough to slip in that little ring. I believe the part I am having trouble with is the top bearing inner race. Here is a link to how this looks exactly on my car.

http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/techinfo/tilt_repair/springremov.jpg

AS soon as i took off the spring that pushes the lock plate I noticed this race was just loosely sitting and the steering column just wobbles around. What am I doing wrong?

I did this in this order. I just moved the top bearing inner race as far back as it will go (it still just wobbles around with the steering column). then I put the spring in on top so that it touches the race. finally I place in the lock plate and compress it with the lock plate tool. However it simply will not compress enough for me to slip in the ring and lock it in place. Any tips would be helpfull. Am i doing something wrong ? Is there some part of the bearing that should go in before this race?

The picture with the red background in the last link is how I am inserting these parts. The spring sits on this race but I cant compress it enough. Like i cant get it aligned properly or something.

http://cdn.vanillaforums.com/cartal...eUpload/8f/0314a3c12f85b3595dba0e48f2e6d5.jpg

any help or tips on how to install the last few parts in a 90's GM steering column would be helpful.

(How to) Install the steering plate snap ring with what you have !

Get a washer that fits (freely) in the steering shaft.
Mark and cut the outside (of the washer) enough to clear the cancel cam.
Insert the snap ring and push it as far as it wants to go (for now).
Insert the washer and hand tight the steering nut above it.
Use an open-end wrench (a little larger than the steering shaft).
Place (insert) the wrench against the steering shaft (and under the washer - at about 4 o'clock)
Mark the wrench where it touches the plate (when lowered) and secure a small nut with tape (on the underside of the wrench) for more leverage.
And Now (finally) push the wrench down and by using a small (but not sharp) screwdriver set the (wedding) ring in place starting from one end (progressively) towards the other.
The Catch!
Since you (might) need to tap it a little with a hammer, push the wrench down with your right leg (like I had to do).