[charles bledsoe]

I asked this in the suspension section, but thought more folks here would have experience with the 69 GTO set up. I am having problems removing the intermediate shaft off of the steering column. I have removed the steering box and removed the bolt from the top collar that, I'm guessing holds the shaft to the steering column. I have tried pulling it off, banging it off with a mallet, and prying it off with a screwdriver to no avail. When I try wedging it off with the screwdriver I can get the shaft to move down, but when I release pressure on the screwdriver the shaft goes back to its original position. I even removed what appears to be a clip on the bottom of the steering colum thinking maybe it's keeping the shaft from sliding off, but it Has not, I still cannot remove it. Asking for help before I damage something.
Thanks.

CB

[charles bledsoe]

Finally got it off. I had to put some penatrating fluid around the spline and let it soak in real good. Once it broke up all the rust and dried up grease I was able to wiggle/twist the shaft free.

[Ben M.]

There's a lip on the edge of the clamp that is deeper than the splines, so you have to remove the bolt and open the clamp up further than you'd think to get the shaft off the column.