The 'gear plate' aka the sector gear is factory welded to the shaft. One does not need replace this gear except in case of a severe accident, and to replace the shaft its welded to requires cutting the shaft in three places. The front of the car was literally built around the shaft and its sector gear. I've seen Panteras in which the steel gear was slightly bent so it didn't run true, but it can be straightened without removing it from the shaft. Your problem is elsewhere.
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