Steering wheel movement

Hey everyone,

My Mk1 escort steering wheel has recently developed a bit of play off the column. I'm not talking rotation play, but if you hold the wheel tight and wobble up and down, left and right on the shaft it moves inside the column. We're talking a couple of MM, but enough to be annoying!

The bolt is tight, rack end shows no play, and when i took the wheel off, there seems to be some kind of split washer that goes over the shaft, within the column.

Is this some kind of washer/rubber thing?!? that wears out, causing the movement?

hope i explained it ok!

A