Steering Column Woes and Questions - Connector, Lower Bearing, and Coupler

Funny you should ask. I took a break from it for a while as I was just too damn frustrated, so finished up refreshing and rewiring the column itself, and getting some other under-dash projects started. Recently went back to it though over the past couple of weeks, and was in fact beating on it some more today and still no motion at all. I did consider attempting a cleanup right where it sits as I'm worried about damaging the steering box with all my struggles, but I also want to check out the splines because I'm worried if everything is OK there. Maybe the right thing at this point is to just get a new quick ratio box and coupler, but I hate admitting defeat and I have more pressing projects on the car that need those dollars.