Steering shaft removal: pics included

[Deerejeep]

I've removed a bolt here



And here



Is this correct and what's the next step to removal?

 

[thiswontbetooexpensive]

That is correct. What I did was take the column loose from inside the cab and give it a yank. There is some room for collapsing, but way easier to pull it all off. BFH might be your friend to release the iron oxide...

Another point I see in your photos, might want to get the holes in the power steering gearbox plugged. My lines were bad, so I left the ends in with the tubing broke off. Kept it all clean for sandblasting.

 

[Petescj]

Your on the right path. You can hit the ara where the top and bottom shafts slip together with PB Blaster as well. Then hit the whole upper shaft. There isnt alot of room for it to penetrate but once you do get it moving it will help it along.

 

[Deerejeep]

That is correct. What I did was take the column loose from inside the cab and give it a yank. There is some room for collapsing, but way easier to pull it all off. BFH might be your friend to release the iron oxide...

Another point I see in your photos, might want to get the holes in the power steering gearbox plugged. My lines were bad, so I left the ends in with the tubing broke off. Kept it all clean for sandblasting.

Appreciate it! I'll give that a shot. Not sure what I'm going to do with the box, think ill just replace it. It was leaking a bunch. Probably sandblast it though. Just for fun.

 

[thiswontbetooexpensive]

~~Probably sandblast it though. Just for fun.

If you haven't blasted much pot iron yet, lowering your expectations would be my advice. Degrease it first, then blast till you get the surface kinda smoothed out. It does not act like mild steel at all.

Believe it or not, the entire steering column is lighter than that steering box. That thing has to weigh at least 700lbs. I tested out my elbow and shoulder getting mine back bolted up. (This has been a public service announcement brought to you by Danny.)

 

[jdarg]

I've removed a bolt here



And here



Is this correct and what's the next step to removal?

If the box is coming out, just disconnect the box from the frame and then you should be able to disconnect the bell joint at the box's input shaft. No need to mess w/ the steering column - unless you don't want to pull the box.

Might wanna check that lower steering column bearing while you are at it too. They have a tendency to get loose (lateral play) so now would be the time to replace it. Very cheap + easy to do since its all apart.

 

[Deerejeep]

Appreciate all, the comments. After PB blaster and knocking the out of the shaft I unbolted the column and pulled. Came loose rather easily. Now the question is do I upgrade to a borgeson hd shaft? Is there any clearance issues with this shaft ?

 

[Torxhead]

I recently installed a Borgeson shaft, and cannot recommend one, as I don't think much of how it is installed or the price. If I could do it over again, I would have just replaced the lower coupler as that seems to be the main wear item and the oem shaft seems to be strong enough. There are also upper bearings that might need replacing, check for excess wobble to determine that.

 

[Deerejeep]

I recently installed a Borgeson shaft, and cannot recommend one, as I don't think much of how it is installed or the price. If I could do it over again, I would have just replaced the lower coupler as that seems to be the main wear item and the oem shaft seems to be strong enough. There are also upper bearings that might need replacing, check for excess wobble to determine that.

Appreciate the feedback. I'm going to be in the 33-35" tire size and will replace the hardware as mentioned.