Need Help with My Flaming River Power to Manual Coupler

Actually, that part seems pretty straightforward, what I really need help with is getting the factory roll pin? steering shaft pivot pin? off- whatever it is you see in the middle of this picture:



I need to get it out so I can proceed with the installation of the Flaming River power to manual steering adapter and coupler kit. I called Flaming River's tech line and all the advice I got was to keep beating on it with a hammer. I've gotten no where with that so far. Any tricks to getting this thing out? I've tried soaking it in PB Blaster overnight. Should I try heating it up? Do I need to take the whole column shaft out of the car to deal with it? Thanks in advance!

Those roll pins are very hard steel. They have to be,cant afford a failure there or it wouuld be lawsuit city. Take col out & carefully drill it out on a drill press with a good(cobalt,carbide ) drill bit.

I took my grinder it is and ground them flat. I tried the hammer and that didn't work. Here's another link with some pictures
LINKY

Mine had a date with a cut off wheel and grinder.

I normally take a vise grip and lock it on the roll pin thus collapsing it somewhat. Then take a punch and drive it out. I love my Flaming river coupler, so much better than the stock stuff. It might help to cut off one end and drive that end with the vise grip on the other - Good luck.

i couldnt get mine out either so i bought the coupler shaft kit instead and cut mine out. now i can finally steer my car without all that slop in the steering wheel.

Well, I got the pin out. I ended up taking it to a friend who had a press and we made quick work of it. Now, I'm at the stage of putting the column back in and measuring everything twice before making the cut to the Flaming River shaft.

I'm not quite as stressed about making the cut now that I see the factory made for lots of room for adjustment with where the column ends up with the oval slots for the bolts that hold the column up.