Ok this can be a tough one. You may want to look for the shop manual on this so you can see an exploded view etc. I will try to explain as I just rebuilt my column recently with the help of a friend.

There is a plate that those three screws thread into. It's much like a very large washer with three threaded holes in it. There are three springs that go between the top cup and this washer. Basically you put this together off the column, then install it as one assembly. In order to get all of the parts off you have to remove to large nut that holds to the steering wheel on the shaft. Then there is a snap ring that also needs to come off. This will release all the parts you need to reassemble the entire mechanism.

I think this will all make more sense once you start pulling it apart. In fact, once you know how it all goes together, it can be done in the matter of minutes. I had mine apart a few times in less than an hour. My problem was that I kept pinching a wire and shorting things out etc.