Steering Column air leak

[H. Miller]

While greasing the 3 U-joints in the steering column I found that only one has a grease fitting! BUT, looking down the column one can see the ground!! Below the floor the column runs thru an accordian sleeve with no way to enclose the bottom. Appears lots of mud/water/etc. has come up the sleeve not to mention the hot/cold air. It won't do it any more
Had some 4" thick foam rubber and cut a 6" donut with a 1-1/2" hole in the middle then forced it around the column and into the hole. Thought about filling it with expanding foam however noted the steering column must turn inside the filling and the expanding foam might bind or at least make noise.
Harold
'04 Beaver Santiam PRT40

[Flagelpater]

Good Find! I need to check my unit. It does get very cold in the winter. Thanks