Changing the steering rack on my MPi

[Cooper1999]

...and having a few problems!

I've disconnected the TRE's, removed the lower pinch bolt, undone the dash bolt.

Just remove the column from the splines, says the manual! Right - no chance!

Any ideas?

Cheers

[guru_1071]

get a little blunt screwdriver into the slot in the coloum (where the pinch bolt is) and hammer it in a little, this will spread the slot open which (with a bit of wiggeling at the wheel end) help.

dont forget you have to discont the upper coloum bracket as well, and take care with the air bag!!!

easy! (he says)

[Cooper1999]

Cheers guru, I've tried using a screwdriver to 'twist' open the slot to no avail. I'll try an wider blade and a hammer as you suggest. I've also tried squirting WD40 in the slot, shocking the area with a hammer. I've tried going to full left & right lock and 'leaning' on the rack lock stops to see if the splines have ridden up onto each other causing it to lock together, to no avail too.
I've now taken the airbag/wheel/stalks etc off as per the Haynes manual, but to be honest this hasn't achieved much (I didn't think it would, which is why I didn't take it all off to start with). Now I have less leverage to pull on the column! What I don't want to do is damage the column itself - they're expensive!
While I think about it, what size nyloc nuts do I need for the steering wheel and the TRE's? I want to fit new ones on when I eventually get it all back together - should've thought about it before I started I guess!
Cheers

[Cooper1999]

Sorted!!!

Bigger hammer, fatter screwdriver, just one, more, whack - off it pops

Now just the rack to wrestle with!

[guru_1071]

'if in doubt, give it a clout!'.......