Uncollapse steering column shaft

I had my eager daughter helping me with the new bearing install and the shaft collapsed. Like driven home with a mallet collapsed. The thin metal strap between the two pieces of the shaft have 2 weld point on it. The one closest to the larger shaft is wedged inside of it and I can't beat it out with the largest rod I could fit in the top of the shaft, which is approximately 3/16". What else can I try before buying a new shaft and bearing (the new bearing is seated perfectly in position FTW)

Any ideas? Thanks!

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Weird never heard of this.

American by any chance? May be different from the European ones?

Ian

Are you on the right forum? makes no sense to me at all..

They can collapse, you could try pulling on it with a slide hammer from the top.

I think because the bottom is now tightly held by the new lower bearing you can't get a purchase on it as it is not the bottom that is the issue but the top.

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