How do I get my steering linkage back on???

[swissarmychainsaw]

So I'm a bit stumped, and I'm sure I am missing something obvious...

I just replaced the ball joints on my 1973 K10 Suburban, and I'm trying to get it all back together so that ... you know ... I can *drive it* again! :-)

I KNOW I pulled off the big long steering "tie rod ends" BEFORE I pulled off the steering knuckles, but for the life of me I don't see how they go back on!

When I put the passenger side tie rod in the knuckle this is what the driver side looks like.



when you pull it up to get the joint back in the hole of the steering knuckle it hits the leaf spring!

I feel like it came off pretty easily ... what am I missing here???

PS - this is the correct orientation. The nut goes on the bottom.
When I try and pull it up and stick it in the hole it still needs to move like 1/2" or so.

Thanks!
Nick