Steering Column Repair: steering column 89 jeep, rust buster, jeep question

Question
QUESTION: im replacing steering column, all connections off all bolts out, column completely loose. problem is it wont come out. is there a locking mechanism or some other restraint im missing?

ANSWER: Hi Will:
I need to know that model Jeep you are working on and if it has tilt or no tilt,then I can help you.  (BTW, why are you replacing it?)  There are too many models for me to guess correctly and they are all different.  I'll watch for your answer

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QUESTION: sorry, its an 89 jeep cherokee limited 6 cyl, 4.0, tilt i just picked it up cheap, the original column was damaged and must be replaced i have the steering column to replace it tilt also.

Answer
Ok thanks Will.
Sometimes it's easier to fix the original column rather than change it completely, but since you're here...
I'm not sure what may be hanging you up, but lets review what you have removed & maybe you missed something.
From the top.
The lower shelf of the dash needs to come out.  Tt has about 8 screws along the top edge, one behind the ash tray and two from the bottom corners facing up.
The upper portion of the column is held on by 2 15 mm nuts and a bracket that attaches to the side of the dash frame inside the truck.  Remove the nuts and then lower the support brackets out of the way.
Then remove all the plugs, cruise control wires, wiper switch wires, turn signal switch wires, ignition switch wires (2), dimmer switch wires, unsnap the shift interlock clip attaching to the top of the column and unbolt the cable housing
Further down, the lower base of the column is attached to the floor with 4 10 mm bolts behind the rubber mat
Outside the truck, the steering shaft needs to be removed from the column---that's a hard one.  It rusts in place and needs to slide off as you remove the column.  Sometimes you need to spray it with rust buster and spread the pinch clamp.  Just make sure you know what position it's in because reassembling it requires 2 people...one to hod the clamp and slide it onto the shaft while the other pushes the column in place.
Good luck!