I looked around the forum but I couldn’t find anything on the subject. I recently bought a 1998 mustang GT and the steering wheel is able to move up, down, and side to side almost an inch I would say, I know it is probably the upper steering column bearing I was just wondering if there is a fix that doesn’t require removing the whole steering column?

 

If it's a bearing, probably not. The column has to go through the bearing so it's either gotta be pulled up and out or separated at some point to allow the bearing onto the shaft (column). Never done such a repair so that's my only input.

It's like rear wheel bearings on a RWD car. Gotta pull the axels out from the differential to do them. No other way around it.

 

But what kind of worn or failed bearing would give an inch of travel in all directions.

Get a strong light and crawl in there on your back.