How do I remove the plate on the steering column? It looks like there might be a retaining ring there but there are no holes to use to the plyers on it just curves in..

 

Push in the large lock plate that it retains (there's a spring behind the plate holding it out against the ring); pry it out with acoupla small screwdrivers or the like. Piece o cake. Only takes about 4 or 5 hands. A "lock plate depressor" tool makes it easier: you can make that yourself; looks like a U-shaped piece of metal with a hole in the middle, a threaded rod with a smaller threaded section on the end to thread into the hole in the center of the shaft, and a nut that screws down along the upper portion of the screw, to push the U against the lock plate. But it can be done by hand, by a single person even, if need be. I've done it more times than I care to admit to more cars than I care to admit.

Be REAL CAREFUL with the little white plastic thing, it's REAL EEEEZY to break off. That's the horn contact.

 

I inherited an OTC 7815. The arbor that screws on the steering shaft is tapered. Makes putting the wire retaining ring back in place like installing valve stem seals. Makes it easier for us guys with 10 thumbs.

 

Currently stuck. How to I get the switch out? does the bottom cover where the tilt lever is come off somehow without breaking it?

 

Which one? The TS sw? What are we trying to do here?

If that's the one you're asking about, just unplug it down below and unclip it from its little bracket, tie a string or piece of wire to the plug, pull the harness w connector, and use the string or whatever to pull the new one back down.

 

I got it broke down and swapped the switch out. Putting it back together now.
is there a trick to get the high beam trigger and the cover and line it up with the rod all at the same time? Cause I have been at it for a while haha
If you breathe on the column, the plastic trigger pops out

 

Adjust the HB sw all the way up. Should hold enough tension on it to keep it in place.

 

ugh, when this thread popped up, it reminded me...
..occasionally I have the "no-key" issue going on, so I gotta get back in the column and sort that out...probably just get a new lock cylinder I guess
I've read some threads about it, but since I was just inside the column this past winter (tightening those two deep-low-hidden bolts, I don't want to take it apart (even halfway) again, but it seems I must do it one day.
thanks for the reminder!