2005 challenger 180 steering box removal

[Audiojoe]

Hello all!
I have gone through many different forums/ videos and can’t seem to find my answer so here we go:

I have a 2005 challenger 180 and the boat sat for a while and I’m in the process of getting her back on the water. 3 years ago I had a shop work on the boat and it seems as if they did not assemble the steering box correctly. The two triangular pieces that the steering cable hooks up to are parallel with each other. Every drawing I see online shows that they are supposed to be crossed. So I’m in the process of trying to dissconnect the Steering box from the hull. My only problem is that I can’t seem to get the part off that allows me to get to the screws to be able to dissconnect it from the hull. I have tried different types of pullers but nothing will make it budge. I’m afraid I will have to hack it off and get a new one. I need to be able to remove the steering bezel so I can flip the box around so I can make the pieces line up how they are supposed to. Any help is greatly appreciated. Please see my pictures attached and let me know your thoughts

if you look at the diagram I am trying to remove 14, 47, and 9. So I can access access 2 and remove the box and flip number 22 so it sticks out instead of running parallel with 19

sorry if this is confusing but really appreciate any input.
Joe

 

[Audiojoe]

This is with the steering centered. Shouldn’t the bottom piece be sticking out at the camera instead of running parallel with the other piece?

 

[MacSeaDoo]

 

[Audiojoe]

View attachment 51703

Thanks for the help. It looks like the the bottom right picture in your image shows that the connecting point to the lower piece is about center with the steering helm. Mine is not. I need to be able to rotate it so it is centered like the image above and in the schematic i posted. Mine is just about right next to the larger connecting point on the left where the cable connects to the "bracket" and i need it to be closer to center.

 

[Audiojoe]

Update - I was able to remove one out of the two pieces. Now i need to remove this one so i can pull the plastic collar off and get to the steering helm to remove it.

 

[MacSeaDoo]

I don't understand why you need to remove anything. From my understanding the steering box is just a free geared mechanism that rotates the steering arm assembly below. Just take the steering wheel spindle and turn it until the steering arm is lined up. When you have the arm lined up straight, install the steering wheel, then you know when the steering is straight when the steering is centered. Attach the cable and adjust to align the chute at the rear.

You Don't need to remove anything unless the steering box is broken or compromised.