172/182 steering column question (with pic)

[davebem]

Does anyone know if the 172/182 steering column comes apart into 2 separate pieces, so in the picture, can it be separted here (arrowed)?

 

[NorthloopCup]

In theory, yes it would come apart there, but it's designed to collapse at that point if your involved in an accident and not to be split mate. Why do you want to split it out of interest?

 

[davebem]

Ah I see, basically the top bearing in my steering column has completly collapsed, all the balls in the bearing have fallen out and my steering wheel now moves all over the place. I wanted to know if you could just replace the top part of the column without having to take the whole column out and disconnect it from the rack..