I am replacing my intermediate steering shaft, and the U Joint at the Steering box is rusted on. it isn't giving me enough play to remove.

Soaked it in Seafoam Deep Creep and smacked the top of it with a hammer, and will try to pry it off again.

If that doesn't work I am reticent to put heat on it. I don't want to damage the steering box or engine mount which is close. I would be using propane.

What do you guys think?

 

Did you completely remove the bolt on the u-joint side mounting to the steering box input?
I don't believe it will slide off the shaft without removing it completely?

Then pound a screwdriver in the split that the bolt closes up when tightening.

 

X1 ......... RAVE page 57-32 tells all.

 

I followed the Rave instruction, all three bolts are out and I have wedged a screwdriver in the gaps to open them. The union at the steering jack is free, but the u joint at the shaft is rusted solid to it. It won't slide up, and there is not enough play to allow it to come off. About a half inch short.

i soaked it in Deep Creep and pounded it a bit with a hammer. Not a ton of room to operate, and I don't want to damage anything.

 

I was able to get it moving using a17mm and 19mm wrench behind a crowbar. That wedged it off. I don't think I banged anything up while doing, but it is a tight squeeze.

the i joint at the steering wheel end was a bear too. Used every wedge tool I could find to really separate the i joint, ended up being able to wedge the crowbar behind it and the **** in front of it. Used a paint stick to soften the end of the crowbar so I did not scratch up the firewall. That method was able to get pressure on the u joint and it popped off.

i am going to keep the u joint and try to rebuild it. You never know!