Steering gear box removel

The long rod will work, u won't have hit it hard

It's best to use a pin punch in a diameter just smaller than the roll pin.

I unbolted the steering column pull the shaft out of connector the shoes will pull out then unbolt the steering box then steering box out car put on bench with support under the connector take a punch and knock the pin out it would come right out and no headache. I had the same problem the connector would just bounce when tring to knock it out and put on the new steering box
before put in the car. then you need a helper to put the steering column back in one to hold and aling the 2 shoes and holding the steering column back in. I hope this help you I learn the hard way