[1937 Steering gear box]

Sorry to start this old thread back up but I’m trying to take my steering gear apart in my 37 1 1/2 ton and am having trouble getting the sector gear shaft off the vehicle.  It seems to me that I can’t pull the shaft all the way out of the housing without the shaft hitting the side of the engine block.  Any insight into how to get it removed?

[1937 me31 curb weight]

Anyone have any idea of the curb weight of a 1937 me31?