OK, I discovered that someone wrapped the column in electrical tape that had long since turned to crud. I got that off/out and pulled the spring. I've been working over an hour on the bearing. I can get it up far enough that all the ball bearings are out but it will NOT come up past a certain point (the top of the race about even with the opening). If I let it fall back down into the recess it will even rotate around the shaft, but work it back up and...stuck solid at that point.
WD-40, Blaster....nothing seems to help.
Am I missing something? Is there a release or other mechanical stop keeping that thing from coming all the way out?
That bearing was shot and needed replacement. That's obvious now. But before I can put a new one in I've got to get this one out!
