Steering gear shaft help?

[TNT25169]

I'm going through the process of replacing my oil pan gasket and according to clarks garage, after placing marks on both the splined input shaft and the universal joint so they can be properly lined up, I am supposed to "disconnect the steering shaft using a punch and hammer". Am I supposed to be beating the hell out of the round thing with a punch and hammer pushing it upward? Someone please help me out here. Here's a pic of what I'm seeing.


Someone help me out please.

[JRMock]

At this point its way to early to "...be beating the hell out of the round thing with a punch and hammer..." You haven't broke anything expensive yet.

From the topside, remove the air filter housing. Once that is out of the way, you should be able to see, (and reach) the steering shaft and universal joints. On the early cars, this shaft has two 10mm bolts, one near the top, under the brake booster, and the other near the bottom. Remove, loosen both and the entire shaft can be removed.


good luck
JM

[Taz's Master]

Yeah, you want the universal joint, but that can be plenty frusterating also.

[TNT25169]

Thanks for the help guys, I'm rapidly approaching my oil pan gasket...

[bigyagi]

you want a long piece of steel, a half inch diameter, and about 14 inch's long, grind it to a point, on both side, just like a screwdriver/chisel point. when you remove the bolt, you will see that there is slot, at the side. when the bolt is tightened, it collapses the slot, making it grip the shaft, so what you want to do, is to drive the chisel point into the slot, and the angle you have ground on the steel, will open up the diameter, allowing the joint to come apart. a small pry-bar helps too.

[TNT25169]

Thanks for the help Yagi but I already used a massive screwdriver to spread the opening and the whole steering rack is already off. Thanks again for the help guys.

[bigyagi]

good man ! its a bugger in there.