Hello. Recently while removing the powersteering box on my 72, I realized the the steering shaft coming out of the steering column has a lot of free play - approx. 1/4" side to side. Is this normal or is there some kind of bushing or bearing that is supposed to hold the end of this shaft centered in the end of the steering column? This movement is not evident when coupled to the steering box with the rag joint. If there is supposed to be a bearing here, can it be replaced without removing the steering column? Can anyone point me in the right direction before I replace this steering box? Thanks.

 

I think that play is there to account for assembly tolerances. As long as the rag joint cures the play, you should be good, though you might consider replacing it with a polyurethane joint or at least a new rag joint.