How to get tilt cap off column?!

[f85gtron]

HELP! How in the world do I get the tilt cap off the column?  I'm trying to run a new stalk wire down the column without ripping it apart. Is that possible?

[Fierofool]

The tilt lever unscrews.  The turn signal stalk pulls out.  It's held into the turn signal/dimmer switch by a ring clip around the end of the stalk.  You still have the wire to deal with.  Easiest way to handle removal and reinstalling the wire is to drop the column loose underneath the dash, tilt the column down so the steering wheel is in the seat and unplug the turn signal wire.  Tape a very good piece of 20 or 25 lb monofilament line very securely to the terminal end and snake it out.  Use the monofilament to snake it back through when finished. 

This may be of help:

http://www.fieros.de/en/articles/steering.html

[f85gtron]

Like an idiot, I pulled the original wire through before realizing what consequence that would have later. Dough!  What now?!

[Fierofool]

Don had told me that the easiest way was to remove the 4 column support bolts and maybe with a pillow in the seat, tilt the column down with the steering wheel on the pillow or seat.  The real block to pulling it through is a little flat plate that the flat harness connector has to pass under.  Seems it always wants to twist the wrong way.  I believe the plate is visible with the column laid down. 

[Roger]

Did that one before. How I fixed it.

Remove the steering wheel.
Get a Precision Wire Coat Hanger.
Make it as straight as possible and use electrical tape to hold a piece of 22 or 24AWG stranded wire to one end.
puch the wire through the bottom of the column collar.
Untape the wire after it is pushed through and remove the Precision Wire Coat Hanger.
Tie and tape your new cable to the 22 or 24AWG wire and pull it back.

Waa Laa!

Your Precision Wire Coat Hanger has many more uses.
Holding marshmallows
poking friends
scratching your back...
the possibilities are endless.

[f85gtron]

Thanks all!  You've managed to save my a$$ at about 1130pm last night. Once I read a couple of your suggestions, I thought of an old throttle cable I had almost thrown away a couple days ago while cleaning up. I was too lazy to toss it and now I know, it was divine intervention. I ran it through from the turn signal hole and after a couple tries, it popped out right where expected. About a foot of electrical tape and a couple strategically placed swearwords later,  the deed was done.