Need Steering Gear Removal Directions

[67Satty]

I've got the motor out of my car and I'm working on cleaning up the engine compartment to get ready for paint.  I want to yank the power steering box to get at more areas to clean and paint, plus I'll be replacing the power steering with manual but I have zippo experience messing with front-end parts.

My service manual says to

1.  remove the steering gear arm

What tools do I need to this?  A pickle fork, wrench, and pliers to remove cotter pins?  Any advice?

2.  Disconnect coupling between worm shaft and column shaft.

OK, I know where the worm shaft and column shaft are but I don't see anything obvious that stands out as a coupling that can be removed.  How do I remove the coupling?  Is there a pin that I drive out somehow?  All I saw in the area where the coupling would be was something with a little hole.  Is that where the pin is?

3.  Loosen jacket clamp at instrument panel and slide column up to clear worm shaft.

Is the jacket clamp just the little clamp where the column meets the dash?  Can I leave the steering wheel on during this whole operation?

4.  Remove gear to frame bolts and lift out.

This step I can figure out.

If someone can give me guidance on this I would really appreciate it.

[NYrr496]

  Yes, you can leave the wheel on the column. Loosen all the bolts under the dash and the column will be loose, only held in at the coupling. I can't remember for sure, but you shouldn't have to drill anything. There's probably a roll pin in that hole.
To get the pitman arm off the drag link, the best thing to use is a pitman arm puller. I personally don't like beating stuff apart with a pickle fork unless I know I won't be using those parts again.
  I know in the past I also disassembled the slip joint and left the coupling on the steering box to remove the column. That was pretty easy as well.

[67Satty]

Thanks, do you know what size socket I need for the huge nut in the bottom of the pitman arm?  I didn't have a socket that big so I'll be heading to Sears.

[therocks]

If your changing to manual i dont think the ps arm will work.Just undo the nut that holds the center to the pitman arm and smack it a few times with a hammer.The pitman wont be hurt and it will pop the taper and be loose.Just dont hit the threads.Ive done thousands at work that way and in the rust belt only a few smacks are neededn,There is a roll pin holding the steering shaft to the box that has to be driven out.Then the shaft will be too short for a manual box and you need an adapter or a manual steering column.Best to study the manual.It will show the pin.