Intermediate steering shaft

[LockDoc]

I was following Solver's instructions on shortening an intermediate steering shaft in the FAQ:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=133937

And discovered a way to get them apart if they are stuck. If you lay the shaft on an anvil, or something similar (solid and nice and flat) and rap it up & down the sides where the two pieces slide together with a large hammer it will break the rust bond and also expand the outside piece so they will come apart. Work your way around the shaft but be sure to keep it solid on the anvil and make sure to hit it square with the face of the hammer.

After working around the shaft 3 or 4 times with the hammer squirt some penetrating oil down inside the end where the rag joint connects and let it set for a couple of minutes. Put the shaft, rag joint end up in a vise and use a piece of 1/2" steel rod (safety glasses please) to drive the inner shaft out.


If you have an older small wire brush clamp it in a pair of vice grips and stand on it to clean out the inside of the outer shaft. (See Picture)


I have taken two of these apart using this method that I couldn't get to come apart otherwise.

LockDoc

[kwmech]

I just drill the nylon plugs out and hit it with a rubber mallet. Although I am in Calif, where we don't get the rust like the midwest does