Steering Column help!

[Cool Beans (Alex)]

I just purchased a rebuilt column from an 87 monte ss. Everything lines up and mounts up perfect except.... the end shaft out of the column that connects to the intermediate shaft is about 2 inches too short! I have only seen one or two other threads regarding this issue, and I believe this column is collapsed. The only suggestion is "hit it with a hammer", if I do go that route, where? I have tried a screwdriver threw the bolt holes and pulled to no avail! My GN has been down for about a month waiting on this turd to come in, what can I do?

tldr
Steering shaft is collapsed, how do I "uncollapse" the thing...

 

[pacecarta]

extend your intermediate shaft .. its supposed to slide in and out

 

[Cool Beans (Alex)]

The intermediate shaft is all the way extended, I compared the length to my old column and the old one slides in and out..

 

[pacecarta]

can you measure from end of column tube to the end of steering column shaft
i just checked an 88 monte ss vs an 87gn and same
from column tube to end of steering shaft is 4 3/8"
now the intermediate i measured from center of return line tube on steering box to the center of the through bolt at the column end and thats 19 1/2"