I have a 97 ram 1500, 5.2 auto ext cab 4wd. When I bought the truck used with 34k miles on it the steering was tighter than normal and I could hear what I called a "knuckling" noise. I took it back to the dealer and they said they could not find anything wrong. Some time later I heard a pop while I was driving and the steering wheel moved. Since then the steering wheel was loose. After pulling the steering wheel off I discover that the snap ring that holds the shaft in place came off.

My question is how far should the spring on the shaft have to be compressed before I can can the snap ring back on. As it is now I can not pull the shaft out far enough to get the snap ring on... the spring fully compresses and bottoms out just shy of me being able to put the snap ring on. Is the spring on the shaft supposed to be completely compressed or should there be some room both ways for the spring to travel? And how can I adjust it so I can get a little more room to get the snap ring on?