Steering shaft 101 ..... ???

[Walker]

I've got the dreaded groaning, cracking, popping, with lots of play symptoms in my steering wheel. From other posts, it sounds like my intermediate steering shaft is shot. Right? It's not the clockspring (no air bag light). I've swapped the p.s. fluid for Valvo. Synthetic (no changes, only got worse).

What about the steering box itself? Anything to look for there?

So, next I'm looking for the best aftermarket st.shaft upgrade. I've read where a few aren't happy with their Borgenson's. Why? What are my other brand options?

After that, how does the install look? Do I have to tear into the column from the inside, or is it all done from the engine compartment?

Thanks for the advice/help.