So, I've made an attempt at pulling this shaft out but damn it's really really corroded onto the spline. Not a great location on the vehicle to get some leverage, but a few ideas come to mind. My question is, the spline shaft piece which is connected to the driveshaft below piece #5 in diagram below is attached how and how well to the driveshaft?

I ask this in in anticipation of a bit more brutal methodology getting the intermediate shaft off..🧐🤔

 

It's literally just the 2 bolts that hold it in. My advise is to spray the hell out of it with *********** fluid, and take your driver seat out.

If you can get the car 5' off the ground, that's highly recommended for the bolt near the rack and pinion. The intermediate shaft is fed through the firewall, so before you bolt in, make sure the rubber boot is flush from the inside.

I didn't take my driver seat out (my back and neck really thanked me for that) and I needed to macguyer some extensions with an angle bit because I was only on jackstands. So a 1 hour job took me 4.

I should note that it's also telescopic. So once the bolt is out from underneath the dash, you can push it off the spline.

 

Thanks for the insight profdns. I did already have the bolts off and only made a mediocre attempt at first. One of my concerns was the shaft below it showed some movement. I could actually see a glimmer of new uncorroded metal at the driveshaft base. it seemed to have movement. So, my worry is that, rather then the part sliding off the spline( after some impactful force, it might take the next piece up and out with it? I blasted it days ago, and now again with the bolt out. It certainly looks easier to do on a lift but yea, no such luck.

 

The shaft itself is telescopic so you should be able to "shorten" it if push/pull away from the spline. If not, that part is seized as well and you need to use *********** fluid there.

 

I used an air hammer. It pooped off in about 1 second. Just don't move the steering wheel, or you will mess up the position sensor (about $100 at the dealer to re-calibrate).

 

I used a paint marker to realign the wheel.

 

Hmm. I'm just wait and see now. After pb'ing the living crap out of the lower joint that goes into the driveshaft..all my bind noises have dissapeared a week now. I see no actual wear on the upper pieces other than it being dried out.🤔🤔🤔 Lol