47 merc steering wheel install

[al pa.]

removed my steering wheel & repaired cracks,and primed it.Years later,I finally painted it,and tried to reinstall it.I tightened the nut,and started to rotate it,and saw that the bottom of the wheel rubbed the cup area onthe top of the steering column.with the wheel,I had a ribbed plastic ring,and a small(3/8" diameter plastic knob same color as dash knobs.I don't know if they belong with wheel,or where they fit.I'm wondering why the wheel went on too far on the tapered shaft.I'm still trying to figure how to post a picture.I could e-mail the picture somewhere.