Stuck steering intermediate shaft

[limequat]

My steering intermediate shaft has been disconnected for a while now. I had it off to drop my crossmember. It has now fused itself in the fully collapsed position.
Is there a trick to coaxing the turtle out of its shell?

 

[#04]

there is a specific orientation for the two pieces as well as distance apart, I'd suggest starting with measuring a un-tampered with one,

but yeah, they can be coaxed with a fairly large hammer into original place, you may want to use a mallot or block of wood to avoid damage..

 

[hvyman]

Lube.

 

[#04]

^yep, forgot about the plastic rings w/bearings that are in the sleeve... of the larger section onto the slimmer section...

 

[Quin]

I had one come out on me in the middle of a turn at 45MPH a few years ago. Mine stuck "turtled" as well. I had to remove it completely, put it in a vice, heat it a bit and pretty much put my entire body weight + everything I could muster into pulling on it to get it loose. Hope you have better luck man!

(Managed to not wreck the car, barely. Stopped with about an 1/8th inch between my bumper and a sign.)