Out of curiosity do you know if your steering system was updated with the recall parts? The recall put a jointed steering column in to replace the straight tube which in an accident would stab the driver. There is one of the recall kits on Ebay right now (I have one to put in but have not done so, I picked it up nearly 20 years ago).
I'm removing shocks, lower 17mm nut seems frozen on shock mounting stud. Tried some heat, now soaking in aerokroil. Not a lot of clearance. Any other suggestions like removing the spindle to access it with an impact wrench?
The "killer javelin" straight-column shafts were mainly on the Series 1 850 Coupe. A '70's-era USA 850 Sport Coupe like David's would usually already have the U-jointed steering column "update" as stock from the factory.