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Steering lock plate too far out to reach horn contact and steering lock
Hi, just made an account to get some help on this so I apologize if there's an answer somewhere else.
I have an 86 z28 with tilt steering. When I finally got a new turn signal cam, I realized that the lock plate locks too far out which doesn't let the horn contact touch the ground or the steering lock engage. I tried pushing the telescoping shaft inward to eliminate the clearance but that just makes the upper bearing unseat making everything wobbly at the steering wheel.
The modifications I have done that may have affected this are changing the steering box, rag joint, and replacing the lower steering column bearing.
I'm hoping that I don't have to completely tear down upper steering column but I will if I have to. I do have the tools for it. Lock plate in locked position Horn contact does not reach Steering lock also does not reach Upgraded lower bearing
Also, my steering feels great currently and there is absolutely no wiggling or play in it. Only issue is not having horn contact or turn signal cancellation.
Re: Steering lock plate too far out to reach horn contact and steering lock
Originally Posted by 84 1LE
It kinda looks like the shaft is out too far and what the black piece behind the lock ring? What order are the parts installed?
That's the horn contact/turn signal cam. From what I read it should be the last thing place before the lock plate. And yeah I think the shaft is out too far too but I don't know how to adjust that. I tried pushing it in with the lock plate removed but that makes everything wobbly. So far the order I have in the upper steering is the bearing, inner race, retainer, spring, horn contact, and finally the lock plate.
Re: Steering lock plate too far out to reach horn contact and steering lock
It looks black in the first pic, but white in the others. Have you checked the 4 torx bolts for the tilt steering? Maybe where the slack is coming from.
Re: Steering lock plate too far out to reach horn contact and steering lock
Oh yeah the front of the horn contact has the black covering so it doesn't ground with the lock plate. And yeah that's thing, the steering feels great and there is no slack. The only issue is that spacing I have between the lock plate and the ground contact for the horn. It's not a huge deal but I can't use my horn or have the turn signals cancel after a turn. I'll probably just keep checking every time I have a chance. There's gotta be something I'm missing.
Re: Steering lock plate too far out to reach horn contact and steering lock
Is that the right lock plate for that column? I replaced the standard column in my '87 with a tilt from an '88 and when I went to put it back together after replacing all the guts I tried using the '87 plate because it was far nicer. I'm almost sure the situation was the same as you have there. Idk if it was a year difference or tilt vs. non but they were definitely not interchangeable.
Re: Steering lock plate too far out to reach horn contact and steering lock
Originally Posted by exiled350
Is that the right lock plate for that column? I replaced the standard column in my '87 with a tilt from an '88 and when I went to put it back together after replacing all the guts I tried using the '87 plate because it was far nicer. I'm almost sure the situation was the same as you have there. Idk if it was a year difference or tilt vs. non but they were definitely not interchangeable.
It's the original tilt column as far as I know. My dad who had the car before me quickly noticed the gap so it wasn't always like that
