It’s ready to come out except for a stubborn steering shaft pinch bolt. Can I remove the upper one ( above the u-joint)  that is both easier to access and more rigid to reinstall or do I risk screwing something up that’s not obvious. 

Edited December 6, 20187 yr by Luvn737s

Hmmm, it's been a few years, but I completely removed mine and it went back together fine. I've read that you need to 'secure' the steering wheel, but likely you've already done that step - if it really matters. Just mark an alignment point on both the shaft and u-joint for reinstall.

Taking out the bottom input shaft is a pain. I remember getting it back in was worse. If I took the whole u-joint and all out I could install it on the bench then reattach the upper one which has better access. I don’t want to mess up the airbag sensors though in doing that. 

Stripping either pinch bolt is my nightmare. I purposely haven’t taken the pinch bolt all the way out to avoid messing up the alignment of the pinch bolt. 

Edited December 6, 20187 yr by Luvn737s