Steering column shaft

The wheel lock ring "gear" has or had a very thin sheet metal cover over the end hiding a pin. That pin is tapered and drives out only 1 direction ( toward the drivers door glass if in the car, master spline on top ).
The cross pin at the lower end isn't tapered but is a very tight press fit. Drift and a heavy hammer will get it out. Installing a new one and getting it correctly centered with a hammer is a challenge.