Steering column problem

[Robertop]

In my 69 Runner something strange has happened. I removed the steering column years ago when the resto started and yesterday we tried to reinstall it, but now it' s too short by about 2 inches! Not sure how it happened, but I looked at the manual and it says the shaft is made by 2 pieces that telescope into each other. Okay, I say, but how do you make it happen? Apparently there are some plastic pins inside holding the 2 pieces together, but they don' t show a picture, and I am at a loss, does it need to be completely apart and how can it be done? Help!

 

[Beekeeper]

Sometimes it can take some extra persuasion to pull the inner shaft back out. You could try clamping a c-clamp
on the shaft and knocking it back out with a hammer.