Gm Steering Column "iq" Test

bill190 · January 25, 2009

I've never worked on a locking steering column before, and my GMC column was a royal pain to say the least!

My turn signal would click "off" when turning right, but would not click "off" when turning left. So I decided to take it apart and see what was up.

I pulled the steering wheel, then found a big barrier to proceeding any further. There was a locking plate held in place by a very strong spring. And this was covering a retaining ring. You have to push down on this plate so the retaining ring can be removed. (Below is a picture using the proper push tool.) But I could not push down and work on removing the retaining ring at the same time. It would have required two hands to press that hard on the plate.

I don't like buying special tools for a job I will probably do just once, so I made my own push down tool. I took a very large washer (which would fit over the post) and drilled three holes equally spaced around the edges. Then placed screws in the holes with nuts on the other side, then screwed then in so they were sticking out about an inch.

Then placed my washer gizmo over the post and screwed on the steering wheel nut. This along with screwing in the screws more placed enough pressure on the plate (via the screws) to remove the retaining clip.

Then I was able to get to the turn signal switch. It turned out a spring was broken and I got a new one at the dealer for under $2. Actually there are two springs which make the turn signal turn off, a left and a right (different). I got both since I had everything apart.

Then I replaced the lock plate using my washer gizmo and reinstalled everything. Turn signal works just fine now.

Picture of the spring loaded lock plate with proper tool to place pressure on it...