Steering column mounting question

The box coupling is about 3 inches long. Shoes inside are about 1 inch long so there is some travel there. I'll guess you column is running in the very bottom of the coupling. Factory service manual may provide some info, where to measure from to, how to find the approx' center of the coupling. Columns do tend to drop a little when unbolted and lowered for services. That's why column shift owners often loose the neutral safety / linkage adjustment after these services.