How do I remove this plastic cover without breaking it or the plastic column?

I need to replace the cancel cam on my 1992 camaro, because the right blinker won't stop. I've read the repair manual and several articles about removing a plastic lock cover, but none of them look like this. The articles below were the better ones.

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=162390

http://home.t-online.de/home/O_Scholz/steering.html

 

Here, maybe this will help you out. Use a tool like the one in figure #4 and depress the plastic piece so you can remove the retaining ring that holds that plastic piece on the shaft. Once that retaining ring is removed it will come off with no problem. Just don't break the wire harness it is attached too. Also, I hope you disconnected the battery before you started this project. BTW, the retaining ring is item #2 in figure #3

 

Im glad to see you werent afraid to tackle a column with an airbag system. Another point of safety is to put the ignition in the on position when your all done. Then connect the battery.

 

Trickster,

I appreciate this. These are much better instructions than anything I have found. As far as the retaining ring, I already took that snap ring off. You'll notice that the ring is already off in the picture. Maybe I'm just not pulling hard enough on it. I disconnected the battery and the SIR fuse. I followed these instructions.

https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/airbag.shtml

dankhound

Afraid? No, I was afraid. All I was thinking was that I have a bomb in my steering wheel. I avoided being directly in front of the airbag while undoing the torx screws, because one wrong move and 'Boom'. The most nerve-wracking part was disconnecting the plug, because you hold the bag while using a pair of needle nose pliers to push out the blue plastic pin thingy. I was happy when it was apart and no explosion. I probably overreacted on the safety of this. I defiantly will try turning the ignition before connecting the battery. I think I understand why. If there is a problem, I'll be in front of the car instead of in the driver's seat when power is applied to the air bag. Smart.

 

Well, I have to say a big thank you to Trickster. The diagrams convinced me that I just wasn't pry on it hard enough. It was not easy to get the plastic cover out. I just kept wiggling it and pulling until it came out. I did put the key in and hooked up the battery and nothing blew up. Thanks to both of you. Here are some pictures. Maybe this will help someone else doing this.

 

I replaced the bottom spring.

 

I took off an airbag, a steering wheel, a plastic cover, a metal cover, used at least half a dozen tools, to replace a little broken spring.

 

Just think how much a shop would have charged you to remove all that stuff.