Steering Column Repair: GMC Steering Column Repair, steering column repair, switch mechanism

Question
Hi Jay -- I have a 1989 GMC 3x3 Dually with a 1988 body style. It has a tilt steering column that is loose. I took it apart & the (4) torque screws were loose so I tightened them & I am attempting to put the column back together.  I have most of it back together but am having a problem with the dimmer switch rod.  When you push down to dim the lights it pushes the rod out to the side of the column & won't dim the lights.  The switch works by hand when I push the rod down.  I can get it all back together but I can't get the light switch to work.  I have a small metal piece left over that I can't seem to find where it goes.  The metal piece is approx. 1" long and about 1/8" wide and has (2) v's -- one on each end.  Can't seem to find any manuals (Hayne's or Chilton's) that has any diagrams of this particular steering column.  Any help or diagrams you can give me would be greatly appreciated.   Thanks ----  

Answer
Hello Mark,
The dimmer rod can be a little pest sometimes with it's alignment. The lower end slides into a hole on the switch mechanism. That can slip out while your using all your hands to hold the other pieces in position. My tip is to use some lightweight grease sparingly to hold the plastic parts in position while you use the other hand to keep the rod in alignment. I can't tell you what the metal piece is, but it could be the spring steel for the sector rack. I am not really certain.
Here are some pictures, the first is a picture of most of the parts. The other is a diagram that may help.

http://img303.imageshack.us/img303/607/diagramzy3.jpg

http://img436.imageshack.us/img436/7607/hornlockringbr4.jpg

Hope that helps.
Have a great day!
-Jay