Can't get steering shaft to collapse?

[boxcar73]

Hi all,

I am replacing my steering gear and cannot get my steering shaft to slide up. I have removed the bolt of the splines near the rag joint and am using a pry bar. It moves up a but the shaft is not budging. I have sprayed pb blaster all over the shaft. Do I need to heat this guy up? It feels if I push any harder I will damage the part that goes into the firewall.

Many thanks,

72 blazer 4X4