1971 Charger steering column reinstallation help

[dostroupe]

I have dropped/removed many steering columns over the past years, mostly mopar cars and trucks. I had to drop my column in my charger to remove the dash. I noticed that the mounting plate that connects to the dash was too far forward (towards the firewall), but I thought no big deal. Well turns out it is! Trying to reinstall now and the plate is so far forward that the plastic sliders are out of the slot. I cannot for the life of me get any movement, the column needs to slide towards the drivers seat. I know that there is a slight amount of adjustment in the coupler at the steering box, but that effects the steering shaft itself inside the column. As it sits now the column is totally disconnected and laying in the floor. I've never had this problem before and have had many out and on a bench, they always just go back in. What am I missing?

 

[T2R9]

Power steering column in a manual steering car? They are shorter. Could also be collapsed. Will the lower shaft slide towards the gearbox when the slots are lined up under the dash?

 

[dostroupe]

Sorry, it's a column shift automatic the only bucket seat with no console/buddy seat Charger I've ever seen. And it is a factory power steering car. Just looking at the column, it doesn't seem to be collapsed, it's never been wrecked, original paint. I got tired of fooling with it last night will try again this afternoon. I'm gonna mount it to the dash first then try to put the coupler back on the steering box and then the firewall mounting plates.