Steering Column removal

[T. Highway]

It snowed all day yesterday so I spent all day working on the truck. I got the front clip removed, seats, floor pans, dash parts, front glass and doors. I also removed the rear outer fenders when I got stalled out with the column. My goal was to lift off the cab yesterday. ( 11.2 hours total )
I have run into a snag. I can't see how to get the steering column off the steering gear box. I have it unbolted from the dash and the clamp is off the bottom by the steering box but what is holding it? I've looked in the manual but only see steering wheel removal and steering gear box removal.
I know this thread is worthless without pictures......but I can't figure out how to post them.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Bert

[MSeriesRebuild]

Pull the steering wheel from the splined shaft, loosen the clamp at the bottom; the column jacket should slide upwards off the shaft. Not sure what you have in mind, if you are thinking the shaft should pull out, that won't happen until the steering box is completely disassembled. The easiest way to remove it for cab removal is to drop the drag link from the pitman arm, unbolt the box from the frame rail, and with the steering wheel removed, drop the box and column as an assembly out the bottom end.

[T. Highway]

Thanks Charles, I did remove the steering box and column to pull the cab off.
My main goal was to get everthing out of the way to pull the cab this weekend. I will get the bed removed on Monday.

[Cal_Gary]

I pulled my entire box and column out thru the front before removing my cab-that gave me the clearance I needed so I didn't have to raise the cab so high.
Gary

[T. Highway]

I pulled the pitman arm earlier today and pulled the cab by noon. I worked on getting the screws out of the bed dor the rest of the day. I should be able to pull the bed floor on Friday and start working on the frame components.