Steering shaft nut / threads issues

Ok....it took some real patience and a little panic on my end (LOL) but got the steering wheel nut I was having trouble with due to messed up threads going on fine now nut wise......I still have to try and see if there is enough thread for the nut to press the wheel can to the shaft......

But one issue I am wondering about is that I can move the steering shaft in and out about 3/4" to 1 "....it moves in and out of the coupler that joins to the input shaft of the power steering box....

Here is a shot of my vice grips holding the shaft in place so I can work on it inside....



Here is a shot with the pliers removed....



Here is what it looks like inside...note the locking clip some distance away from the plastic....



Here is a shot of the shaft pushed all the way in towards the engine....



and here is what it looks like inside when pushed all the way in.....




Any thoughts? Seems like I may have something amiss here.....The steering wheel can will only go as far as the locking circlip there.....and then the can will probably ride up against the steering column collar, which cant be right.....

Please tell me I dont have to pull/replace the steering shaft after all the work I went through to get the nut on! :walkaway: