How to replace Steering Shaft Assembly?

So, I've got the typical 1st gen tacoma steering slop issue. I dont want to do the tac weld mod or whatever, I'd like to just replace the entire steering shaft assembly. Well, I just tore into the truck to replace it and found that I cannot figure out how to remove the upper portion of the shaft (the smaller upper portion above the ball joint thing that connects into the steering wheel). I got the entire steering shaft with the steering wheel out just like Timmy The Toolman shows, I even tried just swapping the lower shaft and ball onto the existing upper shaft but the spines dont match up when installing back into the truck. So thats a no go. I have to replace the entire shaft to do this.

I can see on the parts diagram that there appears to be some sort of snap ring, compression spring and a few other parts. No clue what is what, what is holding the shaft in, or what.

Any tips? Tool suggestions? How to's? Pictures. Thanks!

 

I think I found where the procedure is mentioned in the service manual. It requires an SST that I have no idea how to find or use as the image looks insanely generic. I looked up the SST number listed but it all comes back to generic pullers that I just cannot fathom how to make work in this situation.

 

Hi me.

So I figured out that I could simply replace the lower shaft and ball joint while leaving the upper shaft installed in the main steering column assembly. The issue I ran into was that the new lower shaft being attached to the older upper shaft caused the steering wheel to be turned by like .. a lot. This is because the main shaft assembly is made together and by mix and matching upper/lower shafts the timing on the teeth/tooths/tines that engage the steering wheel get out of synch. So I removed the steering wheel and repositioned it onto the tines in a centered position and boom. Im good to go. My steering is like a brand new truck!