I'd try a steering column rebuilder like these guys: steering column rebuilding services for ford, gm, dodge, chrysler, jeep, plymouth | Steering Column Services

I've never used them, just found them by searching for: gm steering column rebuilder

There were a bunch of others listed as well.

I found this broken spring in the bowl. I think it is for the lock bolt, which has a spring. I am going to try to include a couple of photos. I put the spring back together with tape. Not sure it'* the right way. Where do I get another lock bolt spring? Thanks.

I taped the two pieces together.

If I put it together wrong. Sorry. I've never seen one before.

Not sure....... that looks like one of the springs to the turn signal switch? There should be two on the switch....

Well, when I got that out and turned the shaft for the sector gear, the sector gear turned and so did the rack. I've not had a close look at the rack, but the sector gear does not appear to have broken teeth. I hope to get the pivot pins out tomorrow, then I will know for sure.

Did you check your directional switch for the two springs? Each is a different color, for each side...

If you can tilt the column and manually move the sector gear from all positions, smoothly, that spring may have jammed the rack.....

The tilt function works. The rack and sector gears work. The switch mechanism seems to have the right(?) spring missing and the left one in not the same color and the broken one.

So that seems to indicate at this moment that your speculation is correct.

As I remember, the return from right turn function had just been lost prior to this problem.

Now, how do I pull the harness and connector up through the steering column? I think maybe I can fold the connector so that it is parallel to the direction of travel, tape it in that position - to the harness - and pull it and the harness through the column.

Another option would be to take a picture, remove all the wires from the connector, pull the harness and install a new connector using the reverse procedure.

I already know to attach a flexible wire to the harness/wires being pulled up so that you can use it to pull the new one down through the column.

Thanks, wnlewis

There is a green and brown wire pair. The green wire goes into the socket. I'm not sure where the brown wire attaches at the bottom end?

I've found the necessary fasteners to let me remove the bottom part of the dash. I plan to do that tomorrow.

When that is off I should be able to see where the brown wire connects, also to check to make sure it is OK. I pulled pretty hard on it when I got the connector through the column.

Then it will be time to start putting it back together. I got the springs for the turn signal switch. I plan to replace both the intact old one and the broken old one with the new springs.

I also found a place, Steering Column Services, Sandia, NM. I bought some parts and one of the instructions.

Same place I was talking about a few posts ago?