f***ing snap ring

I'v been trying for the past 1 1/2 hourse to get off the lock plate in the steering colum, but the damn snap right won't come off. the auto repair book says that I need a special U-shaped tool but I don't have it...does anyone know another way that I can get the lock plate depressed enough so that I can get off the lock ring?

Go to autozone, they can rent it to you or you can buy it. It's not really what you would call a snap ring. The lock plate will press in and the ring will come loose. any other way may damage the ring or plate