Steering Column Issues

The steering column in an XJ is supposed to be telescoping, right? Mine doesn't telescope/collapse at all under the hood, making it very difficult to get the steering box in and out. I've beat on it a little, but didn't want to get too crazy before I knew for sure that it was supposed to move.
Is there a trick to freeing these up so that they slide?

The shaft will only telescope when subjected to high forces. Consider it non-telescoping for most purposes. The reason for the telescoping function is to prevent the steering column from being pushed into the driver in a crash.

Your steering column isn't telescopic, it's collapsible in the event of an accident. Borgeson has a great website and I think they make most of the OE steering components.
http://www.borgeson.com/

Hot rod / after market stuff is frequently telescoping, using a female 3/4DD & male 3/4 DD for ease of install - trim to fit, add U-joints, done.
OEM stuff usually is a fixed length with a crinkled zone designed to collapse in an impact.
Don't beat your intermediate shaft any more, you might damage it or go blind or something

Lower the box.down and slip the intermediate shaft off. That's how I did it. Mine wont collapse either.