In the end, I did grind off those bolts holding the fender wall to the crossbeam.
The front crossbeam is now completely detached from the chassis and body of the car but is still not removed.
The pic below shows the problem: I can't get the u-joint off the splined end of the steering column. It has to come out as the u-joint is inside the crossbeam and the hole the steering column passes through is too small for the U-joint to go through to take it out of there. I have removed the clamping bolts on both ends of the u-joint and the steering box end slides freely. The steering column end will not shift. Applying leverage just pulls the whole steering column down towards the steering box by about 1/2". I have applied PB Blaster penetrant, I have applied heat (albeit with only a small propane torch) and I have hammered a chisel in there (many, many times) but it won't separate from the column splines.
Any suggestions, please? I am considering just cutting the column to get it out but will have to check what would be entailed in repairing it and what parts may be needed and available.
David
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