Need help - 1974 Steering column?

[Montclaire]

I have a 74 Barracuda, original power steering/console car.  The previous owner cut the end of the steering shaft to fit a flaming river manual box and coupler.  I am in the process of switching everything back to stock. 

I picked up a parts column and I am stripping it down to remove the shaft.  This column is also power/console and is from a 74 Challenger.  I have removed everything down to the lock wheel and the top end of the shaft is free in the tube.  The bottom portion of the shaft is frozen (won't move in/out or spin) and the end of the tube has what looks like a pot metal retainer instead of the plastic ferrule that I am used to seeing. 

Any ideas?  I do not believe the shaft has collapsed and I want to keep it that way.  I'm attaching a photo below that I found in another thread that shows what I'm dealing with.  Thanks

[Chryco Psycho]

Seems to me you need to remove the lock ring & slide the shaft out the bottom of the column .
I would use heat & good penetrant to free it .

[Montclaire]

The last thing I did before posting on here was to spray the whole assembly down with Liquid Wrench.  As far as I can tell, there isn't anything physically holding it all together, other than corrosion.  I was able to find a superseded number for the lower bearing that is still active, and I already had an upper one ordered, so hopefully with a little persuasion it'll all go smoothly. 

[jimynick]

I believe there's a thread on here regarding replacing the lower plastic bearing with a Ebay sourced steel, roller bearing that fits tightly in the column jacket. Might be of interest to you and I have the bearing and am going to do it on my own 74. Just FYI. 

[Montclaire]

I believe there's a thread on here regarding replacing the lower plastic bearing with a Ebay sourced steel, roller bearing that fits tightly in the column jacket. Might be of interest to you and I have the bearing and am going to do it on my own 74. Just FYI. 

I ordered the superseded Mopar bearing, pn 4147318. I'll post a follow up when I get it installed. The shaft is still frozen, although I was able to take the tension off of the retaining spring. I hosed it down again, hopefully it will release. I really don't want to shock it too much and have to re-glue the shaft.