steering column bearings

I didn't know my upper bearing had a roar in it until the column was out on the workbench. Can't feel the roar in the car. No way to turn so far so fast. I was building a power steering floor shift column from parts of 2 columns. Did buy a new upper bearing.
The OEM bearings weren't made of much. They aren't the same hardened and ground/grinded? manufacture process as a more common bearing. They are closer to a cheap brand bicycle bearing. I've seen them worn so bad that the balls fell out but never seen one locked up. That wont hold true for some alternative replacement bearings which are the real deal, load bearing bearings.