How on earth do you separate the column from the steering box? I have loosened/removed the clamp. The box is free of the frame, and the column can move up and down 6-7 inches. It just won't separate. Is the shaft part of the steering , or part of the column? I want to salvage it in case someone needs it. I'm getting a call from my favorite sawzall......

I ran into same prblem on my 39 chevy. I think you have to pull shaft with gear out of steering box. Itook the shifter off of the column, removed the steering wheel, then pulled the column out the front.I didn't want to pull the box apart and the steering wheel came off easily.What are you working on? Mine is a 2 dr sedan.This is my first rod so I have a lot to learn.This site is very very helpfull.

A lot of those old cars have the worm gear fixed to the steering shaft. There is no link that can be undone.

JC- Same thing as the picture. '39 Chevy 2 door sedan. Putting a Chassis Engineering front end, 9" ford rear end w/ new leaf springs. I decided not to air-ride it. Bodywork is next, but a few months away. I need to get the lower corners between the firewall and the door post. Mine are rotted.
I just started this one. Its also my first. I have to replace parts of the frame where its rusted. Overall, its in great shape. Just a few rust spots to fix. A few flush patches....It should only take a few cases of beer to get it figured out.....

Beenaway, are you talking about removing the tube from the shaft/gear box? Sounds like you can get it to move about 6 or 7 inches and then it stops. If so, there is most likley a collar on the shaft and it is hitting a rubber bushing in the tube. The bushing is hard from old age and most likely rusted to the tube. A little penetrating oil down the tube walls over night will help loosen it up. Then take a good piece of wood and a rubber mallet and tap on the end of the tube. You should be able to hold the shaft in a vice while doing this.

Trees

i dont know nothin bout the 30-40's rides but in my 55 chev truck the column is part and parcel with the steering box. i would imagine anything earlier would not be any easier to work on.
i.e.: what willys said

Mine did the same thing so I just took off the whole steering box. I wasn't planning on using it anyhow.