I then moved onto the steering column. All books and general wisdom suggest removing the steering wheel first. However I discovered that I don't have a socket big enough so ignored the general wisdom.......
First I removed the fixing bracket on the bulkhead.
Then the clamp came off.
Then, due to not removing the steering wheel I lossened everything else I could find!
I then removed the end plate, realising that removing the oil first may have been a good idea! I also discovered a wide selection of steel, plastic and paper gaskets/washers.
I then started on the side cover plate as I hoped that by now all the oil had found a new home over my drive.
It had and the inside looked nice and shiny.
As I have said before, this whole thing is very new to me so I was slightly surprised when a shower of silver balls started bouncing across my drive!
I now know that they were a combination of balls from the main nut assembly and the adjustable ball race.
The side plate had a milled washer stuck to it when I took it off. I now know this to be the roller off the end of the main nut which moves within the groove.
I'll gather my thoughts for a bit and continue my tale shortly!