Upon further inspection and research:
The upper column was collapsed 1/2" to 3/4". Images found on the internet showed almost no shaft visible beyond the spines at the bottom of the upper column. Mine had 1/2" to 3/4". Similar evidence was observed based on the location of the position feedback lever which interacts with the column locking mechanism. I was able to pry the inner tube out of the outer tube by this amount.
You can't typically buy just the die cast inserts because they held in place with injected plastic to hold them in the upper column support bracket. When you have a wreck and are thrown into the steering wheel the plastic shears and the bracket slides forward out of the die cast inserts which are bolted to the dash bracket. The plastic in both die cast inserts were previously sheared on my car. See image below.
This car was wrecked sometime in the distant past, based on several other pieces of evidence. Frame was straightened before I got it and again during my restoration (it wasn't right).
The lower or intermediate steering column must have been collapsed by a similar amount. It is moving back to what I assume is the original length relatively easily.
Guess I'll be buying a replacement bracket, complete with inserts from Ames.
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Kent R.
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