Steering shaft issue

[totta Crolla]

Before inserting the main shaft the peenings should be drilled out, they will break whatever you do with the bushes as you push past them.
There is a critical length for the inner shaft and it is measured from the bottom bearing bush with the 2 nut inserts on the side. iirc you adjust the length of the shaft on the sliding joint to suit the top fixing. Try to do any adjustments to the complete inner shaft on the bench, the bottom nylon bearing / bush is quite fragile and will not stand too much push / pulling once fitted. The complete 2 section inner shaft goes in from the bottom. Make sure that the 2 bolts that go into the bush are perfectly aligned and do not over tighten them.