Original Carpet - how to remove around steering column/rack, advice Options

[moldygreg]

I may be too blurry-eyed and lacking cognitive thought.... be kind.
I also searched, but didn't come up with an answer.

How do I remove the original carpet piece that has the grommet going though the U-Joint steering column/rack?

Do I have to drop the rack? Seperate the U-Joint?

Ideas for path of least resistance appreciated. Apologies in advance if this is a dumb question!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Greg

[mepstein]

If you have great original carpet, you want to take apart a joint and do it right. If it’s driver quality, I would just make a cut in the carpet.

[moldygreg]

If you have great original carpet, you want to take apart a joint and do it right. If it’s driver quality, I would just make a cut in the carpet.

Thanks. That's the big question I'm wrestling with. Definitely drivers quality. But think it could clean up nice and be a solid 8 out scale of 10.

Question - to preserve carpet in-tact, do I have to drop the steering rack; or do I tackle it from the steering column / u-joint?

[gcrotvik]

If you have great original carpet, you want to take apart a joint and do it right. If it’s driver quality, I would just make a cut in the carpet.

Thanks. That's the big question I'm wrestling with. Definitely drivers quality. But think it could clean up nice and be a solid 8 out scale of 10.

Question - to preserve carpet in-tact, do I have to drop the steering rack; or do I tackle it from the steering column / u-joint?

In my experience, no, you do not need to drop the rack. I highly recommend that you take some pictures of the entire steering shaft from the column to the floor for reference when you re-assemble.

Remove all 4 bolts that go through the U joints. Slide the top U joint directly behind the steering column towards the steering wheel. Slide the center shaft up into the top U joint. Slide the lower U joint up onto the center shaft. This may give you enough slack to get the U joint off of the lower steering shaft that goes to the rack. If so, flop it to the side gently and don't turn the steering wheel (it should be locked in place with the ignition key removed from the ignition)! Take the carpet out.

If there isn't enough play to get the lower U joint off, loosen the 4 allen head cap bolts that hold the steering column to the chassis. I would not remove these bolts completely.

This has worked for me in the past. It's a puzzle but if you take your time, you should get the shaft and lower U joint off the steering rack shaft.

Re-assemble reversing the process.

Greg