Dissembling a tilt column

[Accelo]

I have been unable to get the tilt column apart. See attached picture.

The round tin cover is supposed to come off. Some say to used a slide hammer to assist. Unsure what is going on but it's not moving. The service manual shows tool j-22708. It's a puller that locks onto the outer lip for removing the housing.



Anybody had this issue before? If so, how did they solve the issue. I know parts are difficult to come by for the tilt columns and don't want to damage any parts.