Steering Shaft Removal/Replacement

yes , that's how I always did it anyway. Just did one last week changing over from a column shift auto with manual box to a non column automatic / 4 speed column with manual box .There is lots going on up top ,a bearing ,cir clip, and so on and that big coupling on the bottom .It's a 5 or 10 minute job to pull the thing out of the car .You may be able to do it with it in but it will take longer and be harder for sure.