Don't worry about it, we all have to learn new things everyday!
It is not that hard to change the collars and if you are carful you can do it with the column in the car but it is a whole lot easier to do it with the column out. The hardest part is seperating the 2 shafts. There are 2 nylon pins holding the shafts together. These pins are designed to shear and let the column collapse in an accident. Youy have to break the pins and pull the shafts apart. Then you will be able to remove the collars and shifter and install the new collars. The extra wire on your plug for the column shift indicator can just be cut off and you can use the plug with no problems. While you are at it replace the upper and lower bearings. Line up the shafts and replace the pins with nylon screws.
Joe
