I'm having trouble pulling the pivot pins. Seems to be a rare thread..I found a couple but ...hammering on the vise grip was my option, they are too short.

Question, how hard are they to pull? Gonna see if they are the same as alternator screws.... (Edit, not) Hesitant to torch the pot metal.

(Btw, I'm "shade treen"n), doing it with what I have. -

Maybe pine sap instead of locktight?

 

Anyone following. I was able to get the lock plate free sort of "shoe-horning" the retainer with a broken dental pick. The pivot pins, I didn't have the stuff to fab a puller, (that I could find easy), so I bought one for $10, (photo, pivot pin remover). - O'Kregans didn't have that, but I did pick up the free lock plate remover since I was there.

Also in the photo is the inverted Torx bit #E8, and a long 1/4" extension. The target screws need that a 1/4 inch driver and the E8 Torx, that I didn't happen to have.

I didn't need to disconnect any wire plugs under the dash for a Jeep. I dropped the pannel, and hit the wires with some silicon lube -down under- and was actually able to push the signal switch up with the wires.
(different than the El Camino in the write-up)

 

Ars Kicker deal. Not recommended for non mechanics. If you DO wrench, learn it. This column is used an a bunch of (everything), and getting to those four screws takes you past EVERYTHING in the column. No point in naming them ..If I made $12/hr, I'd likely have come out ahead if a shop wanted $150. (not that I'd trust them to get it right). The second one will be 1/2 the work for me.

To finish my part. I needed to buy the 1/4" extension and and that "inverted E8 Torx), and buy a pivot pin puller for $10. A guy could fab that. Those two pins are just pretty snug, needs "extracted" though, they don't "pop free".

I got the retainer for the lock plate off with a dental pick as I mentioned earlier. Listen When I went to town to get the other crap I picked up a free Kit there in the photo for the lock plate. No Help There with that from O'smellies. Waz the wrong deal, nothing fit.

So, I'm all done, stick a fork in it....But.... Can't get the stupid lock clip into the groove to secure the lock ring, no mater how hard I tried. I got it off without the tool...

So, see the photo. Happens to be a 6 point 3/4" deep well socket that I've been using for 40 years, that finished it. - 12 point might work- I'm unusually big and strong, but just pushing in on that deep well socket is what finally finished the deal. I put that over the shaft and gave a good push , and bingo! It clipped in.

All was fine on the test drive a bit ago.
My thanks to Crusier for the link to this wirteup, about the best I've seen. (wright-up wise)> http://www.elcaminocentral.com/showthread.php?t=27192

 

The lock plate tool is a "must have". Oooooops.

 

Na, if I'd had access...Town is a 30 mile plus trip that always takes nearly two hrs. Getting it apart would be hugely easier with the tool. The socket trick though...had I'd known what to do I'd have poped in on in seconds.
Might need the 6 point to catch the clip ring.