300CD Steering Flex Coupling Replacement

[cesium]

I know there are a few threads up on this subject, but I haven't found a few details I'm hunting for. Specifically, I am wondering if it is possible to do this without removing the steering box. There have been a few references to this, most involving removing the steering wheel, some type of locking ring, and then pulling up on the steering shaft.

Fast forward:
I've got the steering wheel off (plenty of threads on how to get that 10mm hex out, but mine had already been done, so no loctite to fight). I've got the hex bolts on the lower flex coupler loosened, so the shaft and worm can slide in and out. I've got the lower left dash cover off, and the lower hex screw out of the flex coupling behind the dash. I can move the steering shaft front and back, about 1/4", but no more.

The FSM seems to indicate that the lower flex coupler should slide quite a ways toward the steering box, but I did not see that much room. According to the manual, I should be able to push the steering shaft forward until it is free of the upper coupler, and the pull it back until it's free of the lower. This simply isn't happening on mine. I played with the coupler until I got this bit of play, but it seems like that's all I'm getting.

I've seen some posts stating it's as simple as pulling the steering wheel. Other methods you don't even need that, just to remove the steering shaft. Finally, I've seen ones which require removing a bearing from the steering shaft, but no specific instructions.

At this point, I've actually got everything back together (sans loctite, tho, so I want to get it done asap), and I'm contemplating two choices:

1) Maybe replacing the coupling without really tearing into the dash, and without undoing the steering box, on these models is a myth? I'm not opposed to pulling the box, but that's a different kind of job that I was thinking this was. I'll pull the box, replace the lines, fluid, filter, and pump seals, which were on the todo anyhow, and do the coupling then.

2) Is it simply that I need to go in through the instrument panel as well, and perhaps unlock or pull the tumbler to let me unbolt the column from above?

3) Maybe I can undo the other bolt on the upper flex disk, to free up a little more room in the shaft? Did I just misunderstand this point on the manual, that I actually need to do both bolts on the upper?

Thanks for all the help up to this point, this forum has been incredibly informative simply from viewing it.

EDIT:

Apparently you have to do something like #2, with the instruments out. It looks easy, but no tools at the moment.