steering connection problem

I took the steering wheel off to replace both the starter switch wiring and the turn signal wiring harness and now it appears that the steering shaft is to short. I had to tap on it with a hammer to get the bearing to release is it a two piece shaft what could I have done to make it an inch short now. If I put the coupling into the steering box connector there is not enough shaft left out to put the steering lock ring back on let alone the steering wheel. Please help