Removing steering from dash?

[ShoestringMariner]

Good afternoon, I’m in the midst of stripping out the inside of my 1975 Starcraft super sport.

I’m replacing the floors and I am pulling the helm station out. I’m having a difficult time pulling the steering from the dash. I really don’t want to unbolt this thing to find out it’s a disaster to put back together. Is there a simple way to remove it

 

[GA_Boater]

Remove the bezel with the knob on top. Under the bezel should be a mounting plate.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Thanks, I’ve attempted that. I removed 2machine screws that attach the bezel to the dash, but the spindle/shaft won’t allow it to come off.

Does the bezel come off the shaft, or do I have to disassemble the rack and pinion?

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Update;

I have discovered that this type of steering needs to be disassembled under the dash. The rack disconnects from the spindle housing. Just in case anybody else with this type of steering wanted to know.

The previous owner of this boat might’ve tried driving the steering out by hammering on the threaded shaft which caused major thread damage.