Thanks for further help, LTG . I still can't get it on. The hex nut is narrower than the floating/sliding washer, so I try from the 10-32 screw side of the post, and the 10-32 part is long enough to make it so you cannot come in at an angle on the nut. My photos below.
I am beginning to think that the flare on top of the post is not intentional, as the manual shows no parts like this with a washer stuck on the top. I think that I can file off the flared metal, then slip on sleeve, then mount Gimli VUK wire form above with 2 washers - one above the sleeve, below the wire form, and one above the wire form, just below the nylon lock nut.
Sorry, I duplicated some info from a post I just made in the LOTR club. Just trying to determine if this flare on the top of the post is intentional, and hope to get a few more eyes see the question in this post. Reference https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/the-lord-of-the-rings-journey-begins-members-club/page/85#post-4992692
-Adam
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