Tapping the shaft back. Yes I have seen this done before . But I would not recommend doing it. If you do. Use a long pointed acorn nut to hold the steering wheel on. It will be less painful.
See...this is what I'm talking about. Just measured two columns..power/manual. Difference is 2.75 inches. Obviously certain death if you hit a pothole. I would just shorten up the shaft, and then shoot myself in the head to avoid all the suffering of being impaled by the steering column lunging itself into my chest....or wait. I could just slide the seat back a notch and all would be equal! In other words, unless you drive around with the seat in its most forward position, that 2.75 inches is meaningless.