I am working on replacing the steering bearings and am also replacing the steering shaft because the bearing retainer appears to have be pushed too far at some point and spit out about a dozen of the balls. I ordered and received a new shaft and total measurement and worm gear direction are correct but the length of worm gear is longer on the new shaft by about a quarter inch. The only way this shaft could work is with a lot of shims but then I don't know if there will be enough threads and spline for the steering wheel to sit on. Has anyone run into this? Everything g that I have found says this is the correct shaft. Thanks!