Steering Column Repair: Possible collapsed steering column, chevy caprice, steering linkage

Question
I am working on a '82 Chevy Caprice and I am attempting to hookup the
steering linkage to the gear box. I noticed that the shaft was not sticking out
of the bottom of the column all of the way..I instantly thought back if there
was something that I did to collapse the shaft and I cannot think of
anything..Regardless, that appears to be the situation. I did go ahead and
grab the part of the shaft that I could see and I pulled it into place..I
reconnected the linkage and everything appears to operating fine... This is a
tilt column, and I noticed while researching that you state that if a person has
a collapsed non-tilt column, then the column needs to be replaced..But what
if it is a tilt column, like mine?? What is the difference?

Thanks for the info

Answer
Hi Brian:
It sounds like your column was partially collapsed.  There are actually 3 tubes that collapse when a column is ion an accident and collapses; the steering shaft (that you just pulled out), the shift tube (that you had to connect) and the outer housing (that you had to bolt to the body and frame inside the car).  If you only had to 'adjust' the steering shaft, then someone just set it down too hard and partially collapsed that shaft.  You can pull those back into place like you did & everything will be fine.  If you had to 'adjust' or stretch any of the other parts, then you should look for another column.
I hope this helps you