Advice needed on steering column

[Guest waxbgone]

I am in the process of chasing down a starting problem, and I have changed just about all the parts in the starting system.  I think (I hope) I have tracked it down to the Ignition switch.  Having bought one from Jim Finn, I proceeded to replace it.  What a job!  It was easier to replace it with the steering column out of the car, so that is what I did.  Now I am trying to reinstall the steering column, and I am having no success getting the column into the universal joint on the lower steering shaft.  Yes, I have the wheels straight ahead and the ignition switch locked with the wheel in the proper position.  I just can't seem to get the shaft to align with the coupling.Any mechanics out there who know a tool or a trick that I am missing?

[impala]

You'll have better luck getting specific advice if you say what kind of car you're working on.

A couple of general comments:

Unlock the wheel and move it slightly in either direction. The splines may be keyed and although you think everything is straight you could be off a tooth. Also if it's a split coupling tap a screwdriver into the slot to open the coupling up a little. The u joint or coupling has to be perfectly square with the shaft before it will go.

impala