Intermediate steering shaft

[vitamin_c95]

I replaced my steering gear box this past weekend. Now I can't get the bolt at the top to go in. Looks like the detent is lined up in the hole, but it's acting like the clamp at top of shaft is opened too far and not making a straight shot for the bolt to drop in. Has anyone ever had this problem? Any suggestions? Gonna go out now and try again. Also take a pic in case I still can't get it.

Has anyone had any luck taking just the shaft out? I had to drop the box before mine would even think of coming out.

71 C20 longhorn, not a tilt column, 2 wheel drive