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is the steering column needs removed which I assume requires a wheel puller etc.
Yes to the puller. On a 55 the wheel needs to come off and after unplugging wires to turn signal sw etc and loosening or removing clamps and disconnecting linkage plus removing the toe board the outer column and shroud will slide up and off the shaft. You might want to note the gap distance between wheel and column upper shroud before anything comes apart so as to make reinstallation less of a guess. There is also a split concave ring around the shaft that forms part of the upper bearing that may need to come off before the column will slide up the shaft. If you are able to slide it up without removing the ring be sure to keep track of it because the ring must go back on for the bearing to work.
55s had the old box with full length one piece steering shaft so the shaft is integral with the steering box and will remain. You will probably have enough room to tilt the dash out a bit but if it looks to stress the shaft and becomes absolutely necessary you can remove bolts and loosen another at the steering box so the box will tilt and shaft can drop down slightly. I never tried it but there might be enough play in loosening the steering box bolts you could get enough lowering of column without removing it or the wheel. Need to really protect column from scratches though and you will probably find the wheel will be a pain to work around.
56 models had the short column and stub shaft connection to steering box so that column is easily removed in its entirety with minimal disconnections without touching the wheel.
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