steering column shaft

I'm not worried about it collapsing in an accident. My concern would be if the top of the coupler came off there would be nothing to keep the shaft from shortening enough to disengage from the coupler.

I have seen cars driving around with the top crimped on or clipped on cap an inch or more up the shaft.

If it was me and I was to do what was suggested. I would drill and tap a set screw and drill a divit into the inner shaft with some Non removable locktite I would not be concerned about length change.

But I'm a bit more paranoid in my later years.