If you have been following my resto of the the front end frame, suspension, steering gear, and sheet metal then you know I need to rebuild my steering gear. I opted for a 56 unit since the shaft is shorter and I like the 56 wheel better than the 55.

I have the 56 steering gear disassembled to the point of needing to pull the shaft/worm gear assembly out of the box, but there is what looks to be a race or seal? in the way. What is the best way to pull that that thing out since the shaft goes through the center of it and I don't want to booger it up?

My 55 shop manual says that the 55 steering gear simply pulls out of the box once the sector gear is removed...ain't happenin' on the 56 model I can tell you that.

What differences are there between 55/56 steering gear boxes? I checked my parts illustrations manual and the diagram is the same for 55/56.

Also, there is definitive "wobble" where the ball bearing on the shaft rests in the box. In other words, I can move the shaft back and forth about 1/8" while it is in the steering box. It does not look "normal" to me. The shaft is not bent at all, and none of the parts I have removed so far look excessively worn out. Kind of frustrating... I can rebuild an engine, fuel pump, overdrive transmission, but the steering gear box? What am I missing here?