Steering Column Repair: Steering Column, tilt position, pivot pin

Question
I have a 1986 Chevy K-10 4z4, it has a tilt column in it with a column shift, pulse wipers and cruise control (not sure if that works never tired it). I know that it's not the original column for the truck, was replaced by previous owner. The column at the tilt piece has play in it, it will move up and side to side about 2 inches but not down at all (when it's locked into a tilt position). I took it to a shop and they told me the 4 bolts were tightened down (the natorious 4 that come loose), and they didn't know what else it could be. I've done some research around online, and the only other things I can think of are a pivot pin and/or the bearings...would a bad bearing or pivot pin have that effect? I could understand up and down movement if it were a pivot pin which makes me think it's a bearing from the side to side play...I'm just stumped any advice or knowledge would be helpful. With a used column for $300 bucks being the cheapest I could find I'd rather try and fix it myself first.

Answer
Hi Rob:

If the shop did in fact tighten the 4 bolts that hold the tilt mounting stand then probably the steering column tube has cracked or broken.  If that's the case, you will need to find a replacement one...it cannot be fixed without being fully removed, disassembled and welded (inside the tube).  Usually that costs more than replacing the column, because it's more work than just swapping them out. This is very common on older GM full size blazers.