I have pulled all of the guts out of my steering console to try and track down the source of the smoke.

I have the switch apart and can see nothing obvious (cracks/burns) like the Pelican article shows.

Is there a way to test it and see if there is an internal short?

This may be the source...

mmmm toasty!

Yes. Do you have a V/O meter? Or a continuity checker, if so test between the switch outer case (ground) and the contact points inside the switch. Same with that crusty contact point in your directional switch.