steering wheel shaft moves how to fix

[Frankb]

I have a 69 GTX. I removed the original steering wheel for restoration. I installed a different wheel while the stock wheel was off. Got the original back, removed the temp wheel, and could not install the original because the shaft that the wheel slides on to has recessed into the steering column. I can tap the inner shaft in or out of the steering column. When I position the inner shaft enough to install the wheel I believe something is not right because the snap ring moves with the shaft. When the shaft is positioned enough to install the wheel the snap ring moves up with the shaft and it then no longer secures anything. What am I not seeing here? The FSM is not very helpful.

 

[Bigal75]

That happened with my 67 RT. In my case the were two large star screws that had backed out and the nuts had fallen into the column. Once that was tight and the retaining plate was reinstalled everything was tight. I'm not sure if a 69 column is the same or not.

 

[Frankb]

69 is similar--has those same bolts. They are tight. I don't know whats wrong with this

 

[Redhorse719]

Post some pictures of your dilemma, that usually gets minds in gear.

 

[Frankb]

the inner shaft recessed into the column. cannot install the steering wheel

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another pic