Auto column shifter issues

[mdeal]

I have a 1971 C10 with a Automatic non-tilt column. I went today and bought a new shift lever(seeing how the ball wasn't on mine). When I went to install it, I couldn't get it to push into the column far enough for the pin to go through the lever. I did get the ball in the slide mechanism.
Is it common to have to modify these repop levers? I was thinking of maybe sanding down the ball just enough to get the lever to go in deeper so it would allow the pin to drop in. Any help is appreciated!