i am trying to remove the steering shaft so that i can replace the rag joint, i thought i could remove the shaft without removing the gear box but it isnt looking like i can do that, is there a link on here for the removal of the shaft or any tips on getting this out easily?

 

I just replaced my steering shaft. you do not need to remove the steering gear box. their are 2 bolts on the steering shaft on at the top and on at the bottom the one at the top is easy to get out but the bottom you have to move this little plastic cover up alittle to gang access to the bolt. good luck

 

removed the one at the top and the one at the bottom, just pulled the plastic cover up a little, but the shaft only moves up or down about 1/2 inch, this is not enough to remove it from the car, the bolt at the bottom of the shaft where the splines from the gear box are is the one i removed. am i missing something here?

 

ya, penetrating lube. hose down the splines as well as the shaft around the top bolt hole. after being on there for 20 years it's gonna be on there pretty tight. you'll prolly need to tap the top of the shaft down with a drift. get a hammer and pound away.

 

thanks Ill give it another shot today. hopefully this works

 

OH right, there's one bolt at the top, and the bolt has a square part right below the head, which keeps it in the square hole...
Then there's a bolt going into a tapped hole, which clamps the splined "collar" onto the shaft. Once you have both bolts out, and sitting on your work bench, it's just elbow grease from there. I have to pry it upwards with a screwdrive until you're free of the splined part. The rubber part will dampen any hammer blows i'd think. It's not not as tight as you think, just grab it and try to "slide" it towards the back of the car. Once the front is free it's easy to slip the collar out of the way, and slide it back forwards and out.

*remember to line it up right after. Driving a car where "straight" means the steering wheel is 20* CW drives me friggen insane. Just line up the tires, and steering wheel, then slide the shaft on.*

 

i was able to use a pry bar to pry it off of the splines then wiggle it out, now the fun part of changing the fibers!