steering column repair

[joel]

I have been putting new parts in my steering column, 86 silverado with tilt, and having success till a mystery spring showed up. its under the lockplate and came from somewhere in the ignition housing i think. i have looked at the picts on the tech pages and they are helpful i just cant figure out where this thing goes. its flat sort of but is bowed like a leaf spring. about one and a half inches long and looks like its made to clip on to something. any ideas?

[Big Katz]

Is it the spring for the turn signals? A pic would help identify it. Have you tested your turn signals switch to make sure it functions properly?

[joel]

It could be that spring dont have the picture capability, sorry. I think there are only two flat type springs in there one is bent in a sort of v shape i have that one and know where it goes, the other is flat but curved slightly with each end bent as if for it to clip on something.

[zieg85]

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,12525.0.html  should show you what you need.

[joel]

Oh yes i couldn't have gotten as far as i have without the tech stuff, but i cant find pics of the spring or mention of where it goes.

[zieg85]

I went through the post... by your description I can't picture it, sorry... unless it is part of the buzzer, when you open the door with the keys in...

[bd]

It's the tension spring that fits along the length of the contact assembly for the key warning buzzer.  Scroll down to image #30 in the following link posted by Zieg...

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,12525.0.html  should show you what you need.

The two brass contacts pictured to the right of the steering shaft are part of the key warning buzzer contact assembly (made of white plastic) that slips into the housing below the ignition tumbler.  The spring snaps to the length of the contact assembly and tensions it against the tumbler.

[joel]

thanks i looked at the pic youre talking about and i see it now. thanks a million aint nothin like a mystery part when im frantically trying to get this thing going. thanks again and maybe ill get it all in tonight.

[joel]

still cant figure out where these go and how to place them. help! they are all  about an inch or two long.

[bd]

"A" =

It's the tension spring that fits along the length of the contact assembly for the key warning buzzer.  Scroll down to image #30 in the following link posted by Zieg...

"B" looks familiar, possibly fits under the emergency flasher button along the side of the turn switch, but how did it wind up loose?  "C" does not look familiar, but again out of the turn switch?

[joel]

ive got the column apart down to the tilt knuckle to replace a broken ignition sector and other parts around the lock cylinder and found B in the bottom of the column housing. A was found in the floor and C flew out at me. I'm not sure which end of what on these springs goes where. I'm ready to go back together with every thing and these things are the holdup.

[bd]

I'll look for a schematic breakdown this evening to scan & post.

Is it possible that "B" is a leftover from a prior repair?

At what stage of disassembly were you when "C" took flight?

[joel]

about to slide the housing and assembly off the tilt mechanism. I'll check back monday, no access to a computer at my house.

[bd]

Refer to the attached diagrams...

"A" in your image is #135 in the diagram.  #135 (retainer clip) attaches to #134 (key warning alarm switch) and they are inserted as an assembly into the upper housing.

I think "B" in your image is #165 (rack preload spring) in the diagram.  #165 preloads #166 (ignition switch actuator rack).

"C" is a mystery. 

[joel]

Well I have looked everywhere and cant figure out what these things are except for the warning buzzer. I'm putting it back together now and everything looks and work good so far.  we shall soon see