help with a challenger column

I have 1970 challenger that didn't have the coupling fully slid down on the splines of the power steering gear, and the roll pin was in box that came with car. I removed the column from the car for engine compartment cleaning an painting. Now that I am ready to put it back together I have the column adjusted all the way forward (mtg bracket against the studs and the toe plate all the way back against the stop on the jacket) and it's still 3/8" short from fully engaging the steering gear splines. Any ideas or measurements you guys have would be greatly appreciated......

Any chance it could have been collapsed? Look in the parts book, and it will give the length that it should be. I just went through this. If you need any more help, PM me, and we can talk on the phone.

A production length E body power steering shaft is 40.75 inches end-to-end. The length from the "splined" (steering wheel end) to the 3/16" machined adjustment hole is: 38.50". PM me if you need anything more.

The shaft are different lengths between manual steering and power steering. Do you have the right column?

Are the shoes in the coupler put in correctly?

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Any chance it could have been collapsed? Look in the parts book, and it will give the length that it should be. I just went through this. If you need any more help, PM me, and we can talk on the phone.

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This is exactly what it was....