Is there a trick to getting the steering box off the shaft??

I didn't put much effort into it - but not having owned novas before i'm not sure what the trick to getting the steering shaft out of the box is...

I have all visible signs of the rubber rag joint connection removed. I haven't used brute force yet - that's why i'm asking.

Someone tell me there trick (if there is one) or I will apply some extreme force to what I assume are rusty splines after the penetrating oil has done it's job...

Thanks!

If it is a 62-65 it will not come out you must cut it. Can't help ya if it is newer.

it's a 66. It seems to be "on there." I am going to soak it again with antiseize and get my torch to heat it up. I don't care what happens to the box but i want the shaft out of there...

I guess i don't really need the shaft intact as I'll use a new 4130 shaft for the rack i guess... hate to cut it if it's just a matter of a bigger hammer... :confused:

Are you talking about the steering col shaft, because the shaft on a 66 is part of the steering box.

ok, that would explain it. Thanks Dnova. You saved me a hammer and a couple of thumbnails there.

you said there's a rag joint ???

if so then the shaft is NOT a one piece unit... and one thing i believe to be true is that to get the shaft out of the rag joint ya just can't loosen the bolt, ya have to fully REMOVE the bolt... there's a "round" on the shaft the bolt seats in, so loosening only won't do it.


see the bold word up there... i may be wrong so double check me and find out ;)


hope i helped ;)

On a 66 it does not come apart. A one piece item.

Like Johnny said, take the bolt all the way out, if there is a rag joint. However, if you have a rag joint, then your column has been replaced. The 62-66 ChevyII/Nova used a one-piece steering shaft/gear assembly. It's possible that yours has been replaced with a '67 (or other) shaft/column assembly.

Chuck

you said there's a rag joint ???

if so then the shaft is NOT a one piece unit... and one thing i believe to be true is that to get the shaft out of the rag joint ya just can't loosen the bolt, ya have to fully REMOVE the bolt... there's a "round" on the shaft the bolt seats in, so loosening only won't do it.


see the bold word up there... i may be wrong so double check me and find out ;)


hope i helped ;)


A hundred lollipops to you Sir. You ARE correct.:D

Like Johnny said, take the bolt all the way out, if there is a rag joint. However, if you have a rag joint, then your column has been replaced. The 62-66 ChevyII/Nova used a one-piece steering shaft/gear assembly. It's possible that yours has been replaced with a '67 (or other) shaft/column assembly.

Chuck

I shouldn't have called it a rag joint as that's not what i'm used to seeing - in hindsight it was a rubber connection between the the column and the box at where they meet with a clamp around it that must be to keep road grime out of the column. I guess I'm going to hit it with a cut off wheel then...