New turn signal switch w/ tilt is too tight.

[Thundarr]

Need help from the experts.
I cannot get my new turn signal switch into place because it is just too tight on my factory tilt column. I've already snapped the plastic on one assembly trying to get it in. I thought maybe it was just a cheap reproduction. But the more original one is just as hard to get in. What am I doing wrong?

Do I need to take off the outer collar first? I tried but I can get it to budge.

Thanks