1954 Mercury Steering Column

[JMFL36]

Hey guys. I picked up a '54 Merc a couple years back and have been slowly fixing things as I have time to get to them. The latest project is to get the horns working. Based on advice I've read in a number of other horn threads on the barn, I started at the horns and worked my way back to the steering wheel and horn ring. Everything has checked out good all the way back to the top of the steering column. With the steering wheel off I can make the horns sing by grounding the horn-wire termination ring to the steering rod. So the wiring, relay, and horns are all good. But I've noticed that, when mounted, the steering wheel sits a good half inch above the top of the steering column (see photo). So the horn ring can not reach the horn-wire termination ring when it is pushed to blow the horn. The shop manual says the steering column should be adjusted to within 1/8" of the back of the steering wheel. The column must have been removed sometime in the car's past, and was not adjusted properly when reinstalled. So, finally, my questions. Has anyone done this adjustment? Other than loosening the column clamps, is there anything else I need to disconnect? Any other tips you would care to share? Thanks