I'm trying to replace the steering column in my '80 245 DL, and I've had quite a bit of trouble.

I pulled the old column out and had the replacement ready to go. I originally disconnected the old column at the first u-joint after the column ends where it connects to the steering shaft. So, the steering shaft is still attached to the car.

The problem is that once I went to put the new column in, I can't get the u-joint to slide onto the steering shaft no matter what I try. It just seems impossible. I even enlisted the help of a friend to hold the column from the inside while I tried putting it in place, and then using a hammer to bang it in place from inside the car. Big mistake, as I ended up ruining the first replacement steering column (the inside of the thing collapsed). I have it lined up properly with the notch in the right place, so that isn't causing the problem.

Other than the hammer (which isn't an option as I learned the hard way), I don't know what to try to get the u-joint to slide on to the steering shaft.

Any ideas?

I'm going to the junk yard tomorrow morning (hopefully before the snow hits) to yank another column, and I really want it to work this next time.

(I can post pictures of what I'm talking about in a bit if it would make this any easier to understand.)

Thanks as always.