[69_hafton]

Thanks, I was beginning to wonder about the replacement columns being cheaper when you start adding everything up. I'm going to see what the dealer has to say - they've been willing to dig for parts numbers before, but I hadn't been there in awhile and they're not as convenient to get to.

There is a steering column specialist that has the plastic spheres new, but mine wasn't worn enough to consider replacing it.

I'm into this too deep to give up with the powder coating that I've had done. Since my bearings aren't completely gone, I'm going to have to clean them up and use them as you've suggested.

The sponge seal as you call it, I'm guessing is what appeared to be a thin foam type dust seal that came out when I pulled the central shaft out of the shaft that actuates the shifter. This was on my list of things to find also.