After rebuilding my steering column, I would like to know what the correct way is to reconnect the splinded column shaft to the steering shaft. Do you tap it on or do you spread to connector and re-tighten the bolt?

There is only one way for it to go on --it has a flat on both shafts that must line up first. No need to hammer--will slip on when lined up.

I just did this on my car over the winter.
I used a soft mallot and tapped the connector over the shaft. It went on without too much force. I did not want to spring it open.
I vote for tapping.

Dave

If I understand your question, you want to install the flexible coupling flange on the steering gear input shaft. This attachment is one of the most safety critical connections in the car. Because it is so critical to steering, the parts were designed with a lot of redundancy.

The flex coupling flange is attached with a pinch bolt. This special bolt has a large shank which passes through a notch on the gear input shaft. The input shaft and flex couplng flange have serrations with mating flats that insure a tight, secure connection.

When the pinch bolt is torqued to specification, it actually deforms the flange somewhat so that it "wraps" around the gear input shaft. This usually results in the two parts being difficult to disassemble (or to reassemble). It doesn't hurt to take a screwdriver or a chisel and pry the pinch bolt slot apart a slight amount. This will make is easy to install and the flange will again be "wrapped" around the gear input shaft when you torque the pinch bolt.