Last part holding the '71 steering column together

[-praisethelowered-]

I have to disassemble my 71 van tilt steering column to shorten it for better u-joint angles - an unintended consequence of installing a rack and pinion- Anyway I have it all apart except this one last piece that is like a brain teaser puzzle.

It called a "plate lock" in the diagrams and I removed a lock ring retainer and it is loose and will wiggle around but I can't for the life of me figure out how to slide, spin, whatever to get it off.

anybody have a hint?