What fell out of my steering column?

I’m joining the anger management club today. After taking a beating over the years, my steering wheel finally gave out after one solid punch today. I’m now tearing apart my steering column to try to resolve this. Thanks for the thread. Hopeful to have this thing back up and locked in so I can try to salvage my day without my steering wheel rubbing my legs. Dammit.

 

Just one more question OP..

 

So I got it mounted back up after accidentally pulling out too hard once and disconnecting the entire steering column ‍♂️

There are two bolts hanging vertically from the dash that correspond with two slots on the steering wheel component. That pin that falls out is what is supposed to keep the wheel from going too far forward and falling out of those slots. With a few good hits, that pin falls out and the wheel can then slide too far forward and fall off the track. I was able to push the wheel back into position in those slots with some force and tap it all the way on with a punch and hammer. I solemnly swear I will never take my anger out on my steering wheel again

 

Still trying to figure this one out. Without the pin, you’re able to lock your steering wheel into a fixed position upright by pushing it all the way in, lifting up, and pulling back, seating it on the rails it sits on. The pin, from what I can tell, keeps the steering wheel from going too far forward and pushing it off the rail. How the pin actually fits in and functions aside from that I’m still not sure.

 

Peep the diagram on the first page and orient the clip accordingly ( "T" side facing you). Snap that puppy on the assembly, I bent some extra curve in mine to have it alittle more secured while messing with getting the column seated on the two bolts properly. I was able to get the shaft seated partway on those bolts, but quickly realized the nuts would have to be loosened to get it fully seated above the washers. Nuts are 12mm and will need a swivel attachment with a moderate length extension on your wrench to loosen them (I think I started with a six inch and ended up needing a slightly longer one, 8 or ten inch). I had to loosen the nuts a good bit. Tighen them back up accordingly.
Hope this helps. Found it hilarious that there was more than one of us out here trying to fix one of these last week lmao