I replaced the heater core in my 2001 XJ following the YT videos. All went well until I went to reattach the steering column, which has a tilt mechanism. The two fixed bolts the hold it to the frame dont line up with the two hole their supposed to go into. Off by about 3/8".

Per the photos, the steering column need to move towards the firewall about that much. A few of the YT vids seem to suggest that it just drops in. Almost seems like the whole column moved towards me when I dropped it or the tilt mechanism need to rotate. I tried that and didnt seem to help with alignment

Column in a relaxed position

Column when I hold it up to the bolts. About 3/8" off alignment


Anyone have a suggestion on how this goes together?

 

Sounds like something is pinched behind the flange where the column penetrates the firewall so it can't move forward far enough.

 

The answer had to do with just muscling it in. I got behind the steering wheel and pushed towards the firewall, a little side to side and it actually made up the 3/8" necessary to drop in. Im not sure what 'gave' but it did work. It helps to have the dash panel on first before resetting the column like this so theres room for the rubber shroud to circle the column.

There was no way the studs would come out with the 7/32" star head on it. Didn't even try that. Guess I'm surprised no one has encountered this when removing a dash for a heater core replacement.

 

Im in the same boat as we speak. I haven't had any luck guess I'll give it another shot tomorrow. Thanks for the reassurance.