John Deere 630 Steering Shaft - Need some wisdom

[JQuest]

I need some wisdom from guys that have done this. I inherited my grandfathers 1959 JD 630 and I need to replace the radiator core. However, I'm stuck on the steering shaft removal. It has a universal joint in front of the fuel tank and another behind up under the instrument panel casting. Obviously I only need the section clear forward above the radiator out of the way but it looks like is slides out of the backside of the front steering pedestal so I have to remove all the back sections first. I've started with the section up under the instrument panel but it will only pull out about a quarter inch before seeming to get stuck. It then slides back into the u-joint fine but I can never get it to pull out more than that 1/4". Maybe the woodruff key is jamming it up? Or maybe I'm going about this all wrong? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[deeretails]

You shouldn't have touch the back sections of the steering shaft. The splined shaft on the front end of the steering shaft should slide enough to allow removal of the joint at the front. But if like most of these the splines haven't been lubed in many years and is stuck tight. Penetrating oil and carefully applied heat (the fuel tank is there) should help get the splines sliding.