[Klax]

I got the shifter assembly out of the car and replaced all the bushings, but now can't figure out how to get the assembly back in and connected to the shift rod in the tunnel.

I can't get the shifter housing to slide far enough forward, nor slide the shift rod back far enough to get the shifter rod into the bushing on the housing.

I got it out without disconnecting the shift rod from the coupler under the floor in the rear seating area so I would think "reinstallation is the reverse of disassembly".

Any tips or tricks? Car is an early 1987.