Oh I like the G clamp idea. I think the one I have is large enough.
If a bolt doesn’t line up and start, I don’t want to go in with a tap. The tap would definitely come in at an angle. The bolt that I have almost starts, really close, just enough at an angle to stop it.
Here’s a picture of the gap newday777.
I loaded the fork tubes without removing the wheel, so I’m guessing that’s what opened up the stem. Won’t do that again.