i solved my spinning steering shaft problem. the problem occured when i was putting my steering back on. i pushed the steering wheel on with a slight bit of force and pushed the shaft into the steering column. the steering shaft then spun freely in the steering column. i could not pull the shaft out far enough to get the wheel on. i called ipd and they were stumped, i called a local volvo mechanic who has pulled hundreds of steering wheels and has never had a problem like this. he did mention something about removing the ignition switch in order to remove the steering column.

as i sat in my volvo totally confused, not able to pull the shaft out, i almost called for a tow to the shop. then i thought, ignition switch, it locks the steering wheel. i turned the key and there you have it the shaft pulled right out to the correct position and i put the steering wheel back on.

so what happened is that i pushed the shaft past the locking pin but could not pull it back out.

hope this will help somebody out their in volvoland.