Removing steering u-joint

[65Tiger@comcast.net]

Can someone advise the best way to remove a steering u-joint ?  The manual says 
to tap on the yoke with a mallet until the cap emerges, invert, grasp with 
fingers and remove.  Mine behave as if they were pressed in, and although I 
eventually removed two caps, I damaged the seal and will need to replace 
u-joint.  My parts do not simply remove (or insert) with finger force.  Any 
advice?  

Curtis
B9470844