my steering column buzzes no more

[treed2 at wsu.edu (T. Reed)]

I posted a couple days ago (and received no response, jerks! heheh) about 
the loud buzzing noise I was getting from my steering column which went 
away when I lifted up on the steering wheel. I got the "why don't you go 
take a look instead of asking us" psychic message loud and clear, and did 
just that this afternoon.

Apparently, the bearing race at the bottom end of the column had worked 
its way loose and finally slid out of the column and was buzzing away down 
at the bottom of the shaft next to the U-joint. And, without the bearing 
there, the shaft was vibrating against the column as well. The result was 
one hell of a racket. Pushing the bearing back up where it should be shut 
them both up. I put a zip tie underneath the bearing to try to keep it 
there for a bit longer.

But, there was a white plastic piece further down on the column from the 
bearing that also came apart/off something. I slid it back up and tried to 
snug it against the bearing, but it only stays there because of the sticky 
grease. The first road bump I hit, it'll just fall back down the shaft 
again. It looks a bit like a washer or a bushing or something.. I couldn't 
identify it in ETKA as there are about 5 or 6 pieces shown, and I appear 
to be missing some (most?).

Anybody know what's supposed to be down there holding the bearing in 
place?

-Toby