harness fire...

The pin crossways through the top of the shaft is tapered. It will go out and back in only one way. With the wheel centered the pin will go out toward the drivers door window. Broken glass and damaging the pizzy little upper bearing is why they say dont drive it out. Most do anyway. Put the steering wheel on and use it to support the shaft.
All the lock plate removal tool does is overtake a strong spring under the plate. It pushes the plate down so the snap ring can expand out of the groove in the shaft.
I conquer that by hand too. The trick is to push the plate down and pull the shaft up at the same time. If you have a steering wheel puller, a couple of spacers between it and the plate will work too. The spacers will need to leave room for you to get the ring with a dental pick. Hope this helps