Steering shaft issue

[jondee86]

1. Does the plastic ring fit in a groove on the shaft ?
2. What is the purpose of the plastic ring ?

I have never seen this part but if the shaft is shaped like a "D" and it slides
inside a hollow shaft shaped like a "D", then it will be to stop the two shafts
rusting (sticking together) and also to stop them rattling. My guess is that it
is the "collapsable" part of the steering column.

If there is a groove in the shaft, then you may be able to find a urethane
suspension bush that can be cut/machined/filed/ground/gnawed to make a
ring that can stretch just enough to be slid down the shaft. Otherwise, it
may be possible to have the end of the shaft nylon coated as far as the
first groove.

Cheers... jondee86