If anyone is interested. This is the easiest bearing replacement I have ever done. The mast bearing assembly doesn't actually completely fit inside the column housing. There is a lip on top that locates the bearing and keeps it in place. All you need to do is take a sharp screwdriver and from the outside just gently tap the edges of the bearing housing lip up and out. It comes right out. Everybody, thanks for the input. thought you might want to know how it turned out.
don
