Steering column movement - advice please !?! Options

[MM1]

My '73 steering column moves in every direction, but last night I noticed that it doesn't seem/feel like the upper bearing. What do I know, though.

If the entire column moves like this (icloud link below), is it necessarily the lower bearing, or could it be something else?

Obviously, this is my first time into the column, and man, is this gonna be a learning experience - (indicator switch needed replacement, will replace ignition switch and clean tumbler).

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0xOTITlUBsUJtbldsiNxBtOYw

[double-a]

My '73 steering column moves in every direction, but last night I noticed that it doesn't seem/feel like the upper bearing. What do I know, though.

If the entire column moves like this (icloud link below), is it necessarily the lower bearing, or could it be something else?

Obviously, this is my first time into the column, and man, is this gonna be a learning experience - (indicator switch needed replacement, will replace ignition switch and clean tumbler).

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0xOTITlUBsUJtbldsiNxBtOYw

there is a plastic collar that spaces the steering shaft from the upper bearing, and over time it crumbles, causing slop. a steel replacement is available from the usual suspects. from your pics, it looks like a shifter knob crush sleeve has been used instead of the proper part.

i resolved my steering column slop issues by replacing both the sleeve and upper bearing.

but your issue doesn't seem to be the shaft itself, your entire column assembly is moving. look at the mounting bolts under the dash, and the u-joint near the bulkhead.