The 1968 Pontiac FSM says don't mess with the upper shaft swivel joint. The 1968 Buick FSM says go ahead and take it apart, so I did. You fish out the pre-load spring, tilt the upper shaft 90°, and lift it off. Then the plastic swivel sphere part just rotates out and comes apart. Amazing. Now I can concentrate on finding an upper shaft to replace the bent one. If I can get one then I will proceed with repairing this tilt column.
