Series III steering box repair - help please!

Hey,

Currently rebuilding my series 3 steering box, but i'm having alot of trouble with the bearings inside. The larger bearings (x12) that go in the collar over the worm gear i've managed to get in all right, but the two sets that go in the bearing housings on each end of the steering box I just cannot get back in place - if I get one set in and sealed up, I just can't do the other without the bearings on the other end coming out.

As you can see from the time i'm posting this..i'm at a real loss with it and don't know what to do, i'm sure its due to my lack of experience, so please..any helps / pointers would be so very much appreciated.

MANY Thanks

Start with the column in the box with the nut inside the box at the bottom of the column and the column sticking out of the top of the box.
Pack the bearings with grease to hold the balls in, put the top one in first, (you'll have to put the bearing race in the narrowed part of the column, just above the screw, to get all the balls in) gently push the race down the column until the column holds the bearings in then push column and race into the box. Pack the bearings into the lower race (actually, do this first!) hold the column and box so that the upper bearings don't fall out and with your third hand push the lower race into position, bolt up bottom plate and see if the bearings are too loose/tight. Add or remove shims to taste. Simples!
I spent about an hour trying this before I discovered the new races I'd bought were too small for the balls to fit! Bloody pattern parts.

Got into the workshop this morning and followed all your adivce - back together first attempt! Maybe a fresh head and not a knackered caffiene fuelled all nighter helped a little too..

Still not sure where I was going wrong - have a feeling I wasn't packing enough grease in to hold the bearings enough, but many thanks for your advice - much appreciated!

Cheers

I originally found this advice on a website about Burman steering boxes on classic cars - the landy one is very similar. Their advice was to stop between each step and take a break to clear the head!