Top view (note the horn ground wire that gives many fits with nonfunctional horns):
[albumimg]2876[/albumimg]
Bottom view (note same wire should connect under one of the nuts to the steering box flange here):
[albumimg]2875[/albumimg]
Cracks are not good:
[albumimg]2878[/albumimg]
[albumimg]2877[/albumimg]
Some of the cracks went all the way through. This bit-o-rubber is all that connects your steering colum to the steering box. If it breaks, bye bye steering. Take the 5 minutes necessary to inspect yours and the 30 minutes to replace when due. I suspect mine was original with 180,000 miles on it.
It helps to have a partner to turn bolts unless you have really long arms. It helps to jack the front wheels off the ground so you can turn the assy to access the bolts better. It helps to remember the proper orientation of the steering wheel to the steering box so your turn signal canceling ring will still work.... (I must be 180* off, mine doesn't now)
![pale :pale:](./images/smilies/icon_pale.gif)