Well I finally got the little bugger in over the weekend. I did install it without removing the gear box or the steering shaft. I even did it without unclamping the top section of the coupling. A little elbow grease, skin off the knuckles and a few gentle nudges of a pry bar and it slipped right apart and then back on. I would suggest replacing the spring clips that hold the coupling together, both of mine snapped in the removal. The new ones from Mercedes are of a higher grade steel and seem to lock on better. I would suggest to any one that is having a problem with the coupling to do this job, it is a night to day difference. Thanks for the encouragement on the forum.