Technical Heater control shafts pushed in too far, unable to refit the knobs

[Djscorchio]

As the title suggests, after replacing the bulbs in the heater panel, I had difficulty getting the knobs back onto the shafts and one of them has been pushed in further than the others. I can pull it out with needle nose pliers and turn it and it still works, but can't hold it out to refit the knobs.

Has anyone else had this issue and is there an easy fix?

I have been toying with gluing a washer to the base of the shaft with it held out so the washer hopefully will hold it out to get the knobs located but not too happy about it in case the glue gets in too far and glues the control up.

 

[John202020]

Pull the shaft out, turn all the shafts to the left, now set the knobs to their respective left positions gently replace the front panel?
It's generally thought to set all the knobs way way or the other for this reason before removing