Cadillac Repair: telescoping steering wheel, wheel shaft, mitchell on demand

Question
Hi Tom,  I've been an ASE certified master tech for 25 years. I am replacing the ignition tumbler on an 85' Sedan De Ville with telescoping steering wheel. I managed to get it apart, Replace the tumbler, (which fixed the no engine shut-off problem), but now I can't compress the spring far enough to get the lock plate retainer clip back on. There is nothing to push against since the steering wheel shaft is also held in place by the "u" clip. I had a fellow tech try to hold or push the shaft up from under the hood while I pushed the lockplate down and try to get the clip in. I'm about i/8 in shy of starting the clip in. We suscribe to Identifix, Mitchell on Demand and Alldata and I can't get any good information on how to get the clip back in. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance, Ted Jakovec

Answer
This requires a special tool for telescopic steering. You may be able to get one at an autozone parts store or other parts store. There is one for a STANDARD wheel and a different one for a telescoping one.

You can insert a small screw into the center of the shaft and this will hold the shaft from moving back and forth and if you or your helper have strong fingers you can compress the plate and insert the shoe.