Yes it is separate. Not sure if you plan to rebuild your steering column, most do while it is out.
You can purchase new bearings and cups for the lower end and the little nub ( can't recall the name) that rides in the worm gear. On the top end some guys have put a bearing inside the tube to stabilize the shaft. So in that case you would need to remove that collar.
On my O I did pull it off and I had a plastic collar/ spacer lying around that had the correct ID and OD so I tapped that in at the top of the tube then replaced the collar.
|