Another Steering Column Issue - looking for input!

Hi Arron - thx for the pics. They ARE helpful! So if I understand this correctly, the "bullring" goes on the shaft and essentially secures the lighter coil spring that holds the bearing in place were it acts as the lower bearing support. Mine does have the ball bearings and they appear to be intact. Your description made me go back and look at some pics I took when I first got the car and they do show this bullring on the shaft as you describe. What I cannot tell in any of the pics is how much circumference around the shaft is covered as the wheel was always in the same position when the pics were taken. From my picture showing the bullring, I'd say it looks to be about "7 hours" worth of clock circumference. Is that what these bull rings are or could it possibly have a piece broken off of it (which I cannot find, of course!) and I should get another?

I would also say that your pics show the coil spring stretching down farther than mine did before but maybe my coil spring is shorter or tired or something. Any other pics you mentioned that you could post would be most appreciated!!

I have bought items from the good folks at DMC before so I looked up the two p/n's you noted. I could not locate them on the site. They do show a steering column bearing #CHR 2265656 but I believe that is the one for the top of the shaft near the steering wheel. Could the p/n's you reference have changed? Also, where did you get that dark gray/black column gasket - I think it looks lots better than the white ones. I'm about to mist or dye mine!!

Thank you for sharing your expertise!!