The other day I picked up an 89 GTA and an 87 GTA parts car. I'm trying to put the column on the 89 back together and I'm running into a problem getting the lock plate back on.
No matter what I do the outside of the lock plate bottoms out on the structure around the steering wheel lock before it gets on far enough to put the locking ring on. It's as if the shaft itself needs to come out further. Comparing it with the 87 the groove it definitely further down. On the 87 the groove is almost even with the outer edge of the collar. On the 89 it's down inside some.
Any ideas?

 

Make sure the plate isn't on backwards, make sure the spring is seated properly. Use the lockplate tool, don't just use your thumbs.

 

I did all that, LOL. I even slid the plate on without the spring or the horn connector ring and it just won't slide down far enough.

 

That's odd. Were you the one to take the lockplate off?

 

No. It was apart when I got the car. I even tried to use the plate off the 87. I took that one apart and it came out fine

 

Also, if it makes any difference, the steering wheel lock pin stays down in the unlocked position