steering column removal

[charger01]

Trying to remove mine from my 74 cuda.  it wont come out of the steering box.  am I missing something.  Also is there a way to remove the dash without destroying your windshield?

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Did you knock out the pin that holds the column to the steering box?

[charger01]

No, Looks like one side is indented and the other side sticks out a bit.  can i just drive it out with a punch?  is that how you do it?

[ted]

yup

[GoodysGotaCuda]

No, Looks like one side is indented and the other side sticks out a bit.  can i just drive it out with a punch?  is that how you do it?

Yep, thats a must to come out.

[charger01]

does it matter which side i drive it from?

[matt63]

It shouldn't as it's a straight roll pin.  If one side is mushroomed go the other way.  I can't remember the details about removing the dash but I think you can get at the screws in the vents with a right angle type phillips screwdriver.  It might be a b*tch though.

[charger01]

Thank you gentlemen.  I will try to get it out tomorrow.  Dash came out easy with the windshield removed.  I couldnt get to the bolts otherwise.

[Chryco Psycho]

the pin can be driven out from either side , I use a tie rod pickle fork to pry the couple up off the steering box

[71chmark]

I just unbolted mine from the firewall and pulled it out. The coupling and the pin stayed with the gearbox.  Just make sure you don't lose the two metal things and the spring clip.

[charger01]

Ok, I got the pin out but the column still wont come out of the steering box.  It is free everywhere else.  Any ideas?

[matt63]

The coupling will slide off the splines with some prying.  I'm assuming the 3 bolts on the plate inside of the firewall near the pedals are out and the 2 bolts under column near the dash are also off and the harnesses are disconnected at the bottom of the column.

[charger01]

Yep everything is unhooked.  hung up on the spline and i cant get it off.  Tried a crowbar.  If it is this hard to come off , dont know how I will reinstall it.  Still cant get the darn thing off the steering box.

[tumbob]

I am putting mine together to put in and there is the large roll pin that fits the bottom box with the streering motor and a very small one at the top of of the coupling box that  holds the grease, gasket and shoes.... maybe leave the coupler on and on and take out the small pin out, it should come off with some prying.