Steering column issue

[Danman09]

After a 2 year break, back to putting this basket case back together. Column was missing very bottom washer and spring. Replaced them along with turn signal switch and a few bushings. Now the ring at the very bottom that adjusts the tension between the two shifting arms, will not go up high enough to get the screw into the slanted adjusting slot. Anyone that has done several of these who could give me an idea of where to start to figure this out? Do I have to start at the top and disassemble the entire thing again?1970 L6, 3spd column