Help - Steering column removal

[bluebottle]

As the title says, I am removing my steering rack from the Griff and have removed all the bolts from the steering column UJ's but cannot remove the column from the splines, it just won't budge.
Is there a secret knack to this? Any helpful advise would be most appreciated.
H

[pistolar]

where the pinch bolt clamps the uj onto the spline, you will see a slot in the uj allowing it to tighten onto the spline when the bolt is tightened. If you wedge the tip of a screwdriver into the slot and tap it with a hammer you will release the clamping on the spline. Should allow disassembly with ease.

[bluebottle]

ttx for that, i also resorted to reading the manual (always th last thing you do) and used mole grips on the shaft and managed it eventually.
One thing the Bible does appear to be wrong about tho is removal of the rack. The manual rack will extract as discribed through the suspension on the drivers side, but there is no way the PAS rack will. The bulky part of the rack will not fit through the chassis rails.
I am assuming that i will have to remove the exhaust system and drop it in from above, is that how others have done it?

[pistolar]

cant you just jer ... jer .... jiggle it

>> Edited by pistolar on Saturday 25th February 19:47