About 6 months ago when I did my SOA/SRS/High steer I rotated my steering box down to compensate for clearance issues I was having. Didn't have time or money for a new intermediate shaft so I just whacked it with a hammer a couple times to lengthen it about an inch and put it back in.
So today I pulled the fenders off to cut 'em and extend my shock hoops some, and I noticed the shaft has a lot of play in it, which I find out is due to the fact that the bearing at the bottom of the column (just above the top u-joint on the intermediate shaft) is pulled out of the column. Has anyone replaced the bearing and cap in the column, or do I have to buy a whole new column. Can't find anything in my Chilton's manual other than "Replacing Steering Column".

I don't know about the YJs, but the CJ can be changed. They have a clip that holds a plastic piece and the bottom bearing in. They will slide off of the steering shaft.

Thanks - yeah, it's the same on a YJ. The plastic portion cracked and the bearing popped out and forward. It didn't want to move though. I had to pull the steering column out to get it off. I just put it back together for now. I'll put a new one in when I get a new intermediate shaft.
Who makes the best shafts for the money? Flaming River or Borgeson or ?? Who's got the best prices?

I have a Borgeson shaft in my CJ and a Flaming River in my YJ. They're both good shafts but I'm unhappy with the way the Borgeson shaft rusted. I didn't expect that considering the cost of it. The Flaming River is plated and still looks new.
-Milt