so i have a feeling that first gens never came with telescopic steering but mine has it and i was wondering what is broken and leting the steering shaft move in and out about 4 inches

 

You don't have a telescoping steering column, it just feels like it,lol.
Check the mounts that secure the column to the under portion of the dash. There should be some supporting bolts that keep the column secure. I can't think of anything that would cause it to move 4 inches. That is a tremendous amount. Sure it is not up and down and not in and out play.

 

there is a problem with the FB's steering column that will allow the steering wheel and its shaft to move out of the column about an inch or more. i had this problem in an 84 SE that i had. someone found a fix for it but i havent searched in a couple of years to find the problem. if i remember correctly, it was a pin or a clip that had sheared and required some labor to get to. wish i could be of more help. hopefully this will guide you in your search for the answer.

 

It is made to collapse in the event of a crash. There is supposed to be a pin or something that holds it in the correct position. There are threads on that around here somewhere, maybe the Archives?