Ok, that is what you have then. Sometimes you can start feeding the box and attached shaft down out of the car if you have it jacked up, especially with the motor out. After you get it so far down you can start moving it forward. Taking the column out gives you a little more wiggle room.

Like I said, I can't swear to it, but I think there is that round ring around the top of the column right under where the steering wheel ends and it keeps the shaft from pulling down out of the column top bearing until it is removed.

Don