Steering column design

Yes, the factory nylon washers are designed to allow the column to slide down or collapse as your chest hits it. The inner shaft is two piece w nylon pins, and that lower mesh is also designed to collapse.

Here's the trick- the floor plate is supposed to be tightened last, after the dash bolts are tightened. This keeps the column from putting a side load on the rest of the steering. Loosen up the floor brackets and see if you can move it to stop your trim piece form interfering. The 73 Dodge FSM is closely the same as Plymouth in the steering section, you can look it up on MyMopar.com