You don't take the shaft out. What you do is cut the lower end of the mast off higher up than where you want to cut the shaft. Then cut the shaft, make sure to do a good fillet weld. I like to run a sleeve over the joint and weld it also. The shifter tube also needs to be cut, if your not using a column shift use a piece of filler to weld it to the outer mast. When that's done weld the shortened lower mast back together and your done. CAUTION be sure to remove the nylon bushing on the bottom of the mast as you don't want to ruin it with heat. Another tip, use a piece of angle long enough that it will hold the shaft straight for welding.