I am trying to reassemble the steering column on my 2001 GS430. After inserting the spline shaft and bolting it secure, I'm unable to pull the assembly towards the drivers seat far enough so that I can attach the 4 nuts that will lock down the steering column to the brace that runs across the dash. I have played with the telescope and am still at least an inch short. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

figured it out, when trying to reinstall the first time, I was taping on the shaft to pursquade it into the spline collar and in doing so shortened the entire unit by about 1.5"....took the assembly out of the vehicle and onto my work bench where I removed the the four pivots bolts for the tilt mechanism and then pulled the shaft out and then I could see the problem. The shaft is made up of two pieces, one pressed inside another and so just pulled it out enough so that the length was correct. Let that be a lesson to the kids...don't pound on your shaft...open up the collar instead and she'll slide right in.