Steering column is out... Complete restoration suggestions?

[Calif240]

Hey guys... I yanked my entire steering column putting in a new wheel and gonna repaint the shaft and try to ensure everything is restored to take up any slop. Anyway, power steering box is firm feel III, so looking for every possible improvement from gearbox back to ensure no slop. Before I took it out it had some rotational slop and also forward and back a bit (telescoping)... I know this is an old car and can't make it perfect, but looking for a few recommendations on things to do while column is out. I don't mind buying new parts of it does it right the first time. Anything you guys can suggest is appreciated...I'm not too familiar w the steering. Oh and it's a 1969, PS, 727/440.
Terry

[PlainfieldCharger]

How does the steering coupler look? They can also need rebuilding...If your steering column is mounted and you have "telescoping" it sounds like you could have a bad steering column bearings.

[ODZKing]

Wasn't there a fellow that restored these from start to finish on the site here.
Quite reasonably I might add.  I would love to have him do mine. But I haven't found the thread.

[green69rt]

If the engine is out then you should get to the K member and box and gusset weld the stearing box mount (FF sells the kit.)  If that's not in the cards then a easier route is the sector support kit offered by FF.  Haven't used it myself but others here might have.

Here's the link, read the article that comes with it. 

http://www.firmfeel.com/b_body_mopar_sector_support_kit.html

[Calif240]

Sweet ... Good article ANd hadn't seen that yet.... Thanks

[Calif240]

The plastic lower bearing actually looks ok from what I can tell. I probably need to take pics and post to be sure it's good. The upper looked fine too. Both snap rings were on the bearing and both bearings spin freely now that I cleaned 50 years of grit from them. The plastic "pins" are still between the inner and outer shaft for the "collapsible" steering wheel in case of wreck. Once I get it assembled, should the wheel move in any way other than circular as it should for steering?
Thanks,
Terry