Steering Box removal and installation

Thanks iy seems like if i just loosened the bolts to the steering column a 1/2 an inch i could just bolt the new steering box in and the slide the link on. I'm afraid i will damage the splines the way im going now. the link is spring loaded, you can push it back towards the firewall. I dont know why they didnt give ya a little more room, like I said even a 1/2 an inch it would go right on.