Upper Steering Column

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I had a problem with the upper bearing (right below the steering wheel) - the rubber bushing had dried out and was allowing the wheel to move up and down and knock. I managed to remove it with a lot of effort, but noticed that bearing ring itself was not full of small bearings - some had fallen down the column out of the back I guess), but I couldn't see them nor find any with a magnet. After reassembly I now appear to have a problem with full rotation of the column - it jams. I removed the ignition switch thinking there was perhaps something wrong with it, only to have a couple of bearings fall out of the hole where the steering lock inserts, but the problem persists, so I expect there are more in there, that are wedged somehow. I noted on the parts diagram that there is no other way out without removing the shaft itself and creating a hole for them to escape. I would rather not try to take out the upper bearing again, so am working on removing the column to pop the shaft out the base of the column tube.

(1) is my idea viable? I not that there are circlips on both sides of the lower bearing but only one outside the upper bearing which I have removed. If i drive out the shaft through the base after removal from the car, would it push the lower bearing out? I don't have a bearing extractor. If it damages the circlip, I do have a spare.

(2) in trying to remove the u-joints off the shaft, I have loosened the bolt / nut in the C-portion of the u-joint, but rust hinders my progress to separate the pieces, am using copious quantities of penetrating oil to get into the rusted area, but no luck so far - any ideas?

Thanks

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