Upper steering u-joint access

[toddu]

Yes, I've tried search.

What's the magic to getting to the upper u-joint? I'm having some difficulty uncovering the cover that runs out of the smugglers box towards the firewall. Before I waste much more time f'n around with that I want to make sure that's not the way to get to the upper u-joint (but if someone wants to offer some advice on removing this cover as well, I'll listen. Looks like removing several ventilation components is required).

Is the upper u-joint obtainable from inside the car?

I've got some binding in my steering, so I need to take some "slack" out of the joints. Thought I would try the "loosen the u-joints and drive around" method. I had a heck of a time getting the shaft from the steering rack into the bottom of the lower u-joint. Still needs to slip down more (again... any advice here on how to smack it down some???).

Cheers, I'm off to beers.

Todd

[MBAtarga]

From what I recall, when I was motivated to re-route the radio/amp and antenna wires, I had to remove the ventilation tubes and even one of the master cylinder switch connections in order to remove that cover. IIRC, it is held in place with 2 screws and took quite a bit of twisting.