[storm9c1]

You can make a lock plate remover with a pair of long needle nose vise grip pliers. Take the nut that you removed when you pulled the steering wheel. Clamp the vise grips on the nut in a V shape to the handle points up toward you. Do it so as you turn the vise grips to thread on the nut, the tips of the pliers will push the plate down. Use the threads of the nut to your advantage! You can put some electrical tape on the tips of the pliers to prevent them from scratching the plate. Even add a little grease too. Once the plate is compressed, it's just a matter of digging out the little retainer ring with 2 small screwdrivers. I've been doing it this way for years, but buying a $15 tool would be worth it too!

To reinstall the ring, I just found a piece of rigid thin-wall (plastic or metal) tubing exactly the same diameter as the steering wheel shaft. Needs to be a snug fit but loose enough to push on and off easily by hand. Cut the tubing to proper length to expose the top thread and again use the nut to tighten down the tube until it pushes the retainer ring back in place. I saved the tube in my tool box and labeled it with a Sharpie as a "GM Steering Column Ring Installer". LOL.