1987 Ranger, Telescoping Column Issue

[Gunfighter97]

87 Ranger XLT Supercab, NON-tilit.
I pulled both ends of my column apart, initially to replace the steering gear box and then also to put in a new upper column bearing. Got the top part done. Installing the box today. I gave up my old core already, but from pictures of mounting, I don't think this box is at all different. For whatever reason what I think has happened is the inner shaft has collapsed somehow and now doesn't protrude from the firewall enough. When I put the intermediate shaft on now, its a little over an inch too short to hook up to the box. I cant pull the inner shaft further out by hand. I have no idea how this happened but I'd rather not tear everything back apart. Is there any particular way to pull this back out that wont mess anything up? Do I need a whole new inner shaft?

 

[SenorNoob]

I feel like this needs a couple pictures...

 

[Gunfighter97]

I feel like this needs a couple pictures...

IIIIIIIIIIIII FIXED IT!!!!!

So here it is now:

Basically I could not get the safety bolt in the end of the columns shaft while the intermediate portion was on the box. The clamping bolt was past its hole. Both circled in red.

I think it may have been pulled up when I pulled the upper column bearing and then when I put it all back it telescoped back down rather than slide back through.

I put a vise grip on the end of the shaft and gave it a love tap outward and it started to pull back out. You can see the drag marks from the bearing circled in yellow.

I guess I 'un-telescoped/extended/un-collapsed' it? I'm still not 100% sure how it colapsed in the first place without me noticing but its on its way back together now.

 

[Curious Hound]

I'm still not 100% sure how it colapsed in the first place without me noticing

It ALWAYS happens without anyone noticing. That is one of the universal laws of automotive mechanics.

 

[Gunfighter97]

It ALWAYS happens without anyone noticing. That is one of the universal laws of automotive mechanics.

Yup. And of course once that was sorted, I spent two hours trying to get the singular nut to thread for the joint on the tie rod side of the pitman arm, touching up the threads with a grinder because its too hard for files and too big for the tap and die set on the upside I finished my one hour project five hours later. . . No idea how those GLASS FRAKING HARD threads managed to get dinged either. . . Just need to torque everything down.

 

[Gunfighter97]

. . . Just need to torque everything down.

AND *note to self* put the plastic rag joint shield back on before then!