Steering column gap

[rjbsj]

Good evening, I have finished restoring and assembling my steering column (69 coronet). As you can see from the picture, I have too much of a gap between the steering wheel and the housing. So much that the horn roller that makes contact with the ring on the back of the steering wheel isn’t making contact. What am I missing? I’m assuming the bearing and sealed go on top of the housing directly under the turn signal switch. That’s how I have it installed now. Or does the bearing and seal go under that housing in the compartment with the column shift? That would shorten up the Gap. Unfortunately I didn’t take a picture of the bearing location but manual and other people‘s pictures have the bearing on top like I have mine now. Only other thing I can imagine is maybe I don’t have the wheel drawn all the way down on the splines. Felt like it went down and seated properly though.

 

[pnora]

What does the nut and washer look like? Is there threads past the end of the nut?

 

[Runner 68]

"Only other thing I can imagine is maybe I don’t have the wheel drawn all the way down on the splines.".

Bingo!
The bearing should be under the turn signal switch as you describe. Only really one way it can go together. Make sure the turn signal switch is properly seated then get a half inch impact and give it a couple of gentle ugah-dugahs. You'll see it draw down.