Steering shaft

[cob428]

Disassembled tilt column to finish correctly. It appears at one point the column has shifted,moved or collapsed.
1) Is there a way to determine if the shaft is OK?
2) are the shafts supposed to move in and out of themselves? Picture 2, red arrow, shows shaft has moved at least 1 - 1 1/2 inches.
3) can it be disassembled and checked, I don't see any plastic pins or sleeves and when I use a pick in the outer shaft holes I feel solid steel on the other side?

Pete

[shelbymann1970]

I could be wrong but I had used a tilt column in my 70 Shelby that came out of a 69 Mach1. First off, I pulled it out of a 69 Mach1 by YANKING it out not knowing or seeing there are 2 different end shafts as a 20 year old in 1980. I swapped the columns never touching the eng compartment shaft or rag joints. Column went into a 69 Mach1 for 5 years until it was pulled and the car sold. I then put it in my 70 Shelby. Took it back out when I restored the car in the late 90s(11 years in the car). It sits in my attic with a engine bay shaft given to me with a correct rag joint. I wouldn't worry about the shaft being "loose" but if you want it tight you would have to pack it or glue it like the factory did. It never affected my driving in both cars it was in-and shouldn't as there is nothing to move once everything is bolted up. That is the collapsible part of the safety feature of the wheel in an accident.     

[cob428]

Trying to get the column apart to replace the lower bearing. Anyone have an easier way to remove the pivot pins? I have broken 2 - 6/32 tools trying to remove the pins. I see Tony (cougar ) rebuilds the columns but can't seem to get him to return phone or email .

Pete