[hgdmartin]

Good evening,
First post here. Thanks in advance for the help.

I am working on a rod that has a 1973 Cadillac tilt/telescoping column in need of repair. Specifically, the key will not turn. I have disassembled the column down to find that the sector gear has 2 stripped teeth and will not engage the rack fully. Furthermore, the rack will not slide its full range. Likely the reason the teeth are stripped from the gear. Oh well, I am not the first in here; I found several broken/missing parts in getting this far.
I have removed the actuating rod from the ignition switch and have tried to move the rack using the rod. It still will only move about 1/4" total with the sector gear and key switch removed. There does not appear to be anything obvious blocking its travel, but I cannot see in there to confirm. I suspect it may be parts of the 2 missing teeth. I have tried blowing compressed air and poking with a small wire, but no luck.
How do I remove the sector gear rack?
Appears it can only come out from the top?? Is that correct?
Does it separate from the actuating rod for removal?
Do I need to remove the next section of the column? It appears there are 3 torx head bolts that secure the next section; any advice here?
Where can I purchase a new gear/rack, and misc other parts for this column?

I have a spare column, but have tried to stay away from using. The column I need help with is in the car, and has a shop built tranny linkage arm welded in place of the factory one. It comes off the left side versus the original one on the right. If I swap columns, I will need to break out the welder and modify this linkage arm. I was really hoping to stick with the current column, if I can make these repairs without removing it from the car.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
David

[alittle1]

The sector rack is held into the housing by the sector gear. After you remove the ignition lock from the housing, peer into the opening with a small LED light. You will see a post sticking out that matches the socket of the ignition lock's tail piece. There is a retaining clip that holds this into the housing, using a pair of E-clip pliers, remove it and with needle nose pliers, grab the post of the sector gear and tug on it to remove it. The rack will then pull out of the housing.

[alittle1]

Here's a link on Saginaw columns:

http://www.diyforums.net/s-10-steeri...mn-182368.html

[61bone]

You will have to take the upper part of the column off. There is a pin the rack pivots on that allows it to work with the tilt.