The FirmFeel is in place and I can get the column lined up but I can't figure out how to get leverage to push the column down on the steering box.

I cleaned and degreased the fitting and I can get about 1/8"-1/4" started but I can't slide it any further with my hands alone. There is no room in there for a hammer or a clamp.

I've spent about 90 minutes on it and figure I must be missing something.

Any tricks or ideas?

The notch in your coupler has to line up with the master spline on the steering box shaft.

Since there is no steering wheel yet on the column, I disconnected the two, rotated the column shaft and was able to get them to align up.

This helped me slide them another 1/4" or so together but I am still about an inch away from being able to hammer in the roll pin. I am going to attach the wheel and try to turn the wheel a little bit to make sure everything is lined up good.

Do you have an service manual? You really need one.

Sounds like you have a damaged spline. You might be able to dress it with a jewelers file.
Mine did not require any hammering to put on.

Got it on there. There was a small burr in the joint and once I took that out (and aligned the marks in the shaft) the two slid together.

As for the service manual, I do have one. Section 19-44 describes exactly what I am doing but it simply says "With front wheels in straight ahead position and master splines on wormshaft and coupling aligned, engage coupling and wormshaft and install the roll pin"

Fortunately, you guys pointed out my mistake with the alignment and all is well now.

Many, many thanks for the help

-Steve

I have removed and installed several steering columns and it has been rare to have one slip on right away. Of course I'm always working alone, cussing and yelling at it. Having a helper would be great.