Splitting a seized spline?

[Tim Good]

Inside my whitlock pedestal I have a stainless shaft going down to the lower quadrant. The shaft has a spline in the middle which appears to be seized.

Unless I can get it apart, then I can't access my auto pilot to service. Is there a special took to force a spline apart on a stainless shaft. Something like a cutlass bearing remover?

 

[RichardS]

People might be confused by a shaft with a spline in the middle. A splined shaft has ridges all around it's circumference. You could have a shaft with one spline I suppose but what does "the middle" refer to and how do you "force it apart" unless the female part has a clamp, in which case you just need to force a screwdriver into the clamp slot?

If it's a splined shaft stuck in its female counterpart and it is not a clamp and you cannot simply pull or knock it through becuase it is corroded, I can only suggest penetrating oil and some heat applied with a gas torch. Try a gentle stream of boiling water from the kettle if the gas torch is not practicable.

Richard