Friend has a 70 Monte and is having trouble with the ignition switch staying engaged when he starts the car, We pulled the steering column apart and found the round plastic gear that rotates whe you turn the key was all beat up, This gear moves a flat slide in and out as it turns(When operating correctly). This flat slide gear has what appears to be a thin strip of metal placed below it as a spring. This item was loose and not holding the slide up enough to fully contact the gear.

Question's are.. What is the plastic gear and the thin metal strip (spring) called and where could we find them?

The 18 yr old at the auto parts just stares into space as we try to find these parts.....:noway:

I remember replacing this sector gear in a 70 Chevelle SS454 I had but in my case, the gear was completely worn and not engaging anything.....I have no idea where you could purchase this plastic gear.