Steering Shaft Removal Help

dropped the column included the 3 bolts at firewall plate ? Put some books or something in the drivers seat to hold the column up at a more straight alignment. Pickle fork between the steering gear and coupler. Don't let the coupler catch at the firewall when lifting out of the car.
Very carefully bend up 3 or 4 ears on the original cap just enough to pick it off the coupler, so you can reuse it. Think bottle cap. Crimping the new cap on tightly so it stays in place is a heck of a lot harder than putting the original back on.