Steering Shaft

Last year my frame was replaced by Toyota Dealer because of the rust under the re-call. Now I have removed the steering shaft but had to use an impact wrench to remove the lower bolt to the steering pinion and the two to the upper yoke...with a 150ft-lb impact hammer. The Haines manual only requires 26 ft-lb ( less than the 28 ft-lb for the oil drain plug) for these bolts.

My problem is that I'm trying to remove the yoke and replace it with a new one, but the idiot that reassembled the steering shaft
must have used an air wrench on these bolts rather than a torque wrench. I have already removed the steering shaft, but how can I get the yoke off without damaging the splines to the upper shaft that comes through the firewall ?

 

I dont know quite what you are talking about since I havent had to do it but from what your saying I would use a puller, I assume you could borrow one from an auto parts store.

 

If it has a split in it drive a screwdriver into the split and it will open up the connection, then tap it off.

 

I tried opening up the gap with a screwdriver , and that would probably have worked, but because they over torqued the bolts they probably have damaged the splines on the shaft through the firewall. I'll have to see how else I can open up that gap.

Thanks.

 

You could tighten the bolt until it breaks off and it shouldn't hurt the splines.