I hate posting this since it has nothing to do with a y-block but this is the only website that I get great and fast answers.

I am trying to remove the steering column from my 56 Crown Vic.  The wheel is off, the column outer tube is out.

I am left with a steering shaft that goes directly to the power steering box and I see no way to detach it.  It feels very solid to the box.  Searching one website someone said the shaft is permanently attached to the box.  Yet, when I find a power steering box replacement it shows a spline to attach the shaft??

So anyone have an answer for me?

Thanks Guys

If You do disassemble the Box to get to that Shaft You will need to have  it Reassembled by Someone who knows the correct way to assemble and Adjust the Box. Its not a Case of replace Shaft and reassemble the Box. Bearing Preload and Mesh need to be Setup Properly. Lares Corp offers a Rebuild and return Service for these Steering Boxes. You might want to Contact them if You need that Shaft replaced as part of Rebuild and see if they have a good used replacement to use as part of the Repair..If Your Shaft is good as far as Threads that hold the Steering Wheel on but the Gear on the end of Shaft is damaged the Gear can be replaced alone as it is available as a replacement Part. It needs to be pressed onto Shaft and Box reassembled. 1956 used 2 Different Boxes as Ford revamped the Box in the later Part of 1956 so your Box could have early Type with 2 Teeth on the Sector Shaft or later Style with 3 Teeth.The Early Style was carry over from 1955 but they experienced premature Wear on the Gears and went to 3 Tooth Box later in the Year when the old Boxes were used up. You will need to determine which Box You have. 

  

Thanks guys.  We are removing the column to get to the wiring under the dash.  There is nothing wrong with the steering, as a mater of fact it is one thing that works well on this car.  I suppose now it will get screwed all up.

If the Box is good just removing it should not cause a Problem. Just mark the Position of the Arm on the Box before You pull it off. It will go back on in any Position and mess up the Steering. I guess You are still trying to sort out the Wiring by the Sounds of it.