Steering box help

[stain]

I started to change the steering box today on my 1968 New Yorker and have run into a snag right off the bat.
I cannot get the roll pin out of the steering coupler. 2 hours of beat, heat and even attempted to drill it with no movement at all.
Is there room enough on the mounting stud to slide the steering box off the coupler without taking it off to deal with it on the bench? Do I need to slide the column back to do this?
Any insight would be appreciated as I cannot go back now

 

[MoPar~Man]

I would not have used heat (unless you absolutely don't care about using the box again, or not without some R&R).

The standard way is to use the correct size pin-punch and hammer it out. Now, it might be easier for it to come out one side or the other, meaning turn the wheel 180 degrees and try from the other direction. But you might have messed it up too badly. You can always pull the cover off the coupler and pull the steering column out (I assume you've already got the column mostly unscrewed and disconnected from everything, including the transmission). That would leave the short shaft still connected to the gear.

Take the cover off the coupling (green arrow). You can then slide the steering shaft (ie - the entire steering column) backwards. Some parts will fall out of the coupler, you'll need them so don't lose them. They'll be very greasy. Lots of grease packed in there. You can then deal with removing the coupler when the gear is on the bench.

 

[413]

Need to look closely with magnifying glass. Make sure you are hitting the roll pin and not the coupler body.

Soak with penetrant and they will move with hammer and punch. Never needed heat or a drill and I've taken out hundreds of them. But these are west coast cars, not northeast cars.

 

[stain]

I would not have used heat (unless you absolutely don't care about using the box again

I have a new Firm Feel box on the bench, and a coupler rebuild kit.
Looks like I will be sliding the column back tonight.

 

[stain]

Well that roll pin was the most stubborn I have ever seen. I had to remove the steering box with the coupler end attached. Then with the box on the bench and supported, MAP gas and an air hammer with a roll pin bit to get it out.
Another question, I was going to use wheel bearing grease in the coupler but wondered if it would distort the rubber seal overtime?
The grease inside sure didn't look like bearing grease. I do have some silicone grease for rubber ( SYL-GLYDE ) and was thinking about using that instead?

 

[Big_John]

Well that roll pin was the most stubborn I have ever seen. I had to remove the steering box with the coupler end attached. Then with the box on the bench and supported, MAP gas and an air hammer with a roll pin bit to get it out.
Another question, I was going to use wheel bearing grease in the coupler but wondered if it would distort the rubber seal overtime?
The grease inside sure didn't look like bearing grease. I do have some silicone grease for rubber ( SYL-GLYDE ) and was thinking about using that instead?

Steering Coupler Rebuild "How To"

 

[stain]

Steering Coupler Rebuild "How To"

I saw that, it was mentioned that they use wheel bearing grease. I am questioning if others use something else. The original grease looked like some sort of moly type.
I guess anything will work......