install sequence - steering coupling to steering gear

[piantm]

I just rebuilt my 70 cuda manual steering column. I followed Cuda Cody's informative video's installing the coupling at the end of the shaft before installing into the car. I'm having much trouble getting the coupling seated all the way onto the steering gear. I want to hammer on it, but fear of breaking the nylon safety pins keeps me from doing that. Should I disassemble the coupling components, install the coupling housing onto the steering gear, then assemble the coupling components on the shaft then install all of that into the coupling? The splines on the steering gear and coupler look good. I did line up the wider alignment grooves on steering gear and the coupling

 

[MoparCarGuy]

No, the coupler should be assembled correctly and attached to the column shaft. Then align the coupler to the box input shaft splines. It should not require a lot of force to engage the splines. Double-check for the master spline alignment.
Were you even close to aligning and installing the dowel pin?