Steering column coupler removal?

I just went through this on mine, it was very difficult to get the coupler back on the box, mine was an extremely tight fit. There is a different spline at the 12 o'clock position on the steering box, when it is centered, and the coupler has a matching one, needing to be lined up perfectly. I was able to center my steering wheel, which put the coupler in the correct orientation. From there it took lots of pry bars, hammers and punches to get the coupler seated all the way. I thought I had the cover crimped on good, but through all of the effort it took to get the coupler seated on the box, my cover had popped loose so I also used the spring clip on top of the cover/seal to hold it in place.