'66 manual steering box and shaft removal
 

Planning to remove the integrated box and shaft from my daughter's '66. I found an old post that said the shaft and box can be removed from the top of the car. I found a pdf file of an old service manual for pre-67 Mustangs and Comets that obscurely outlines a way to remove the box and shaft from the top. The pdf file is on the Flaming River website. If interested in checking this out follow the link here http://www.flamingriver.com. (click "steering box" under product menu, mustang for model and year; then click on the
icon for the 16:1 manual unit and then click on "instruction". The pdf file for "maintenance and adjustments" shows a five page copy of chapter 19 of this manual.

HERE'S THE QUESTION: Has anyone ever successfully pulled the unit out intact from the top? I am going to give it a go, but would like to hear from anyone who has tried it before I dive in and follow the manual's instructions. Manuals can make things seem so simple, when in fact the little life saving tips and tricks are often not mentioned.

Thanks
Ace66

I did not.

I was able to remove it from the bottom of the vehicle by placing the vehicle on vehicle ramps. Then removing a bolt for the motor mount and jacking the engine up off the mount a few inches. I was able to remove it in one piece that way.
I dont think I had to remove the oil pan but its possible that I did.

I dont remember raising the motor at all, but do remember having to go through the bottom.

Last step in my '65 Mustang Shop Manual reads: "Lift the steering gear and shaft assembly from the engine compartment by raising the gear up and forward past the engine and spring tower taking care not to soil or tear the front seat fabric with the end of the steering shaft".

Sorry I just saw the thread tonight. Am I too late? If you can use the entire procedure, I will scan and post the page tomorrow.

Thanks for the responses. I followed the Ford manual and had success taking the gear and shaft out from the top. With the front seat removed along with exhaust manifold, no.7 and no. 8 plugs and valve cover, the shaft came out pretty easily. Pushing the shaft toward the firewall and rotating the bottom of the gear box 180 degrees and then gently manuevering the unit up and out took only a few beats of the heart. I had the box rebuilt by the Lares Corp. Cost for the rebuild was $400.00 which included a new shaft, all new internals (worm gear. sector shaft, bearings, etc.). the integrated box and shaft went back into the car with little trouble. Nice to have the original box back in the car. Price to ship from Temecula CA and back was about $150.00