The solution to a bad rag joint, the 2, reinforced rubber discs in the shaft between the lower end of the steering column and the steering gear box, is the universal Chrysler, GM & Ford kit, available at almost all auto parts stores for $10 to $20. Ford no longer services the shaft.
There are two diameters, the larger one is for pick up trucks. The small on works on Explorers.
Each disc is attached with rivets to the shaft. These must be cut, I used a saws-all. The rivets had to be knocked out of their holes with a punch, be careful not to bend the fail safe bracket. Each rivet had a spacer tube around the outside to support the structure while the rivet was set. The new disc has smaller holes, the space is obsolete when the new disc is installed.
None of the hardware with the universal disc was applicable.
We bought 4, 5/16" by 1 1/2", fine thread bolts, with 4 nuts and 2 washers at the hardware store. We also bought 8 faucet washers to make the make the bumps seen in RangerXs' photo above, the center of these was drilled with a 5/16" drill. Two of the bolt heads had to be ground down to fit against the radius on the hub of the adapter to the bottom of the steering column. Two of the bolts were cut by about 4 threads to fit under the fail safe bracket.
Put red Locktite on the bolts, thread on the nuts and tighten them snugly, pinching the rubber disc, but not too tight. Actual labor time is about 1 hour.
This took all the play out of the steering wheel.
This should suffice for another decade or so. Unless I must do the other end.