Thanks 80stech, will check further! Maybe swap out stuff from the 3.0 to be sure, too. I already replaced the steering u-joint on that but it was some time ago.

I recently replaced the lower green plastiic bush on mine as i get a slight clunking from the steering column. You would be surprised how worn they get. Its like a plastic bush with a teflon bearing in it. I reckon the ujoint shaft is worn but the one i have to instal has a hex location whereas the one on the car is square.. I do have the lower column shaft to fit so i may do it when iget chance.

Hi Themoog, couple of questions if you dont mind?

There are 2 of the green plastic bushes in the lower column diagram, you only replaced one?

Did you have to replace the cups/boots (#5 and 6) when you did the lower green plastic bush?

Did replacing the lower plastic bush help with your clunking?

We checked the lower steering area while the truck was on stands for a diffs/transfer case fluid change.

Got to see the green plastic rings. 1 is visible in the engine bay above the steering joint, another in the car above the brake pedal.

Both looked good and tight, and we tried shaking the lower shaft and there was no play in the rings, so I will not be doing those at this time.

We checked the steering joint again as everyone has been suggesting and y'all were right, we found some play there.