Just changed all the spark plugs and wires on my 1996 GMC Jimmy 4x4 and I took the bottom of the intermediate shaft off to get to spark plug 3 and now even when the splines lined up correctly it won't slide all the way on. As of right now I have it tightened down about half of the area it is supposed to connect to. A hammer won't even bring it down. I went for a drive to see if it would slide off immediately but it works normally in it's current state.

 

You did take the bolt out before you put it back on, right?

 

Yes I did. What I ended up doing that worked is heating up the part of the shaft that compresses prying down on it with a crowbar and tapping the rag joint with a hammer. I think it just had trouble extending back because it is rather old.