Shift Lever Roll Pin Help

[70HalfCab]

Putting a stock auto column in my Bronco and am having lots of trouble with the darn roll pin that connects the shift lever to the collar. I got the shift lever in and have the roll pin in through the top and through the hole in the shift arm. Now no matter what I do I can't get the pin the rest of the way into the other side of the collar. Looking with a light I can see it is very slightly out of alignment with the bottom hole but wiggling the shift lever up down side to side etc and I can't for the life of me get it to line up the last tiny fraction of an inch. Now I can't get the darn pin out the way it came either. I'm afraid to hit it any harder with a hammer.

Any tips, tricks or ideas on how to get this roll pin in? Or out for me to start overall.

 

[jckkys]

I think it would help to take the collar off the column to support the area around the pin. Then use a role pin punch that has a little tit that enters the center hole in the pin so it won't slip off.

 

[70HalfCab]

Got it fixed. Used a little penetrating oil then went for a little drive and used the shift lever a bunch (the pin was in far enough for good operation). When I got home I checked and was able to flex the hole in alignment then tapped the pin in the rest of the way.