Did a bonehead move installing Steering column

Installing the steering column and shaft on a 72 Roadrunner...Was having some difficulty with the end where the spring loaded blocks go into the steering pot...I put the nut on where the steering wheel goes and tapped it a little to put into place then had a lapse of judgement and whacked it...Well the steering shaft collapsed down...I went ahead and finished installing the column collars and put the star wheel with the roll pin so i can situate where there input shaft has to be...I looked on the steering box side...I need to extend it 6" now I am assuming I have to remove the column (as one piece) and whack the end section til it slides out...or is there another method...also...thinking back...I think there are two pins which hold the two steering shaft section in place...I am guessing I broke those.

Try just pulling the shaft from the bottom - may take some effort but it should slide back out. I wouldn't worry about the pins, they just serve to hold the shaft extended - probably for ease of fitment on the assembly line. If you're anal about the pins then you could probably find the correct diameter nylon or UHMW to make new ones but I wouldn't bother.

Clamp a pair of vise grips to the shaft and tap on them to extend the shaft. You haven't hurt anything because the pins are just plastic and are not a safety factor.