Today i finally got to lock plate off, I had to buy a $16 specialty tool just to get it off, well behind it is all the electronic contact points and pivots for the turn signal and I'm somewhat lost and ran into some problems as I slowly pulled out the white plastic components something fell out, I found it. It was a small metal nipple type object, I think I found it's home in the clear plastic parts that go behind the white plastic parts. PROBLEM: the clear plastic parts were all busted up inside and I doubt I could put those back in properly. To make matters worse I found a small metal spring that almost looks like a ball point pen spring lying on the floor and I have no f*%&n clue where it goes. Somewhere behind the white plastic components.. I still dont have the ignition cyl out. I stopped as it is getting dark. I wanted to replace the wiper control stalk since mine is busted and loose and the wiper sprayer don't work, but this is scary and I don't want to make matters worse than they are.

Please, please, please someone help me. If ANYONE knows this stuff. Maybe someone can scan me out the pages of the SERVICE REPAIR MANUAL that deal with this assembly, the manual did help me but not enough.

Also, Anyone here that has early 1st gen dakotas I strongly recommend staying out of the steering coloumn anywhere past the lock plate this has been a total F'in nightmare and the lock plate is a &^%* to remove for a damn good reason.

 

You can download the service manual from the FAQ. That should have all the info you need, with great pictures.

 

The only ones i see are for 95 & up. Either way it's good info to have, but i think all the stuff in the steering column is different in my truck.

 

I fixed it today, I got everything back together, I had no choice but to super glue the clear plastic parts but I think it will hold up well. The spring and metal nipple was for the hazard light switch and other than that everything went smooth. I have an aftermarket steering wheel and the adapter has the bolt holes around the main shaft, and that is to keep the parts rotating at the same rate and to stop any binding. Well, the holes were stripped already and after putting everything back in it was worse, so later on I'm going to at some point buy another adapter. It should be good, but if the bolts happen to fail I think it would be dangerous!

For those guys wanting to put in an aftermarket wheel, It's really fairly simple the only specialty tool you will need is steering wheel puller or a 3 claw general gear puller to do it.

For those with pre 91's needing to replace an ignition cyl. you will need the tool listed above as well as a lock plate depression tool also know as a lock plate removal tool.