Trying to avoid a small stuff error here.  Is there a magic I'm missing
to removing the plastic cap from the input shaft of the steering box?
Talking about the splined steering gear pinion.

You can see the cap in Bentley 48.4 but there is nothing there about
removing it.  In the archives I found only one entry asking where to get
one since the rebuilt rack came without one, and a me too.

Since the rebuilt racks don't include that cap, seems clear the idea is
to transfer it with the line fittings, but I've already applied more
force than most Vanagon plastic will tolerate and no give.

So is there either a method I'm missing or a source when I destroy it?

Thanks,
gp
87 Wolfsburg