1955 how far does steering column shaft go over shaft from steering box?

[HRUVDT564]

I had to completely disassemble my steering column to replace the electrical channel for the turn signal wires.
When I slide the steering column shaft over the shaft that comes out of the steering Box there is still approximately 7" that the steering column shaft does not cover the other shaft. My question is How far does the steering column shaft covered that other shaft from the steering Box. It tightens up and I do not want to tap a hammer on it to get closer. For fear of damaging the steering box.

Is the steering column shaft supposed to slide freely to the stop inside the column shaft and after it is in position how far should the steering column shat be from steering box?

A few of the tines from the steering box looked a little goobered up and I lightly filed them to clean them up.

(These questions are without the chrome sleeve which will go on after I understand how those shafts fit together)

Any feedback is appreciated
Thanks

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[Tater Salad]

Are the collapsible fingers still on the steering shaft near the steering wheel? If so they sometimes catch at the channel for the signal light switch wires. See picture below.

 

[HRUVDT564]

The inner shaft is completely separated from the rest of the column. I'm only checking that center shaft before reassembling.

 

[Tater Salad]

I don't have a measurement on how far the sleeve slides over the steering box shaft, but I'm going to estimate it being 8". It very well may be an inch or two more or less. How much of you steering box shaft is currently going inside the sleeve?

 

[HRUVDT564]

It looks like with the chrome tube on and the shaft bearing seated in the chrome collar at the wheel there will be about 5. 6 inches of overlap of steering shaft to the box shaft.
Does that sound right?

 

[Tater Salad]

I can't say 100% positive. But I just came out to the garage, slid the steering wheel out to the stop then unscrewed the chrome collar and took a couple measurements. The steering wheel slides about 3 inches when the stop is in place. Then there's about 2 more inches that the splines in the collar will overlap the steering box shaft. So if it were me, I'd call it good. If I had issues later, then I'd address them at that time.