Steering column play
 

Folks, Can someone describe the mounting of the steering column on a 95 XJS Conv. I have up and down play and a little side to side play in no matter what angle/height adjustment I put it in. This model has the release lever on the column underside that when released, I can tilt the wheel up or down, but not in or out. There is considerable play up and down relative to the dashboard. Steering is tight but with this play, I can feel it being a little loosey goosey just because of the column mounting play or the adjustment mechanism play.
Thanks

Do you mean the actual column is not tightly secured after it has been adjusted up or down? (There is no in/out adjustment on facelift cars.)

Correct. Up and down play. A good 1/4 to 3/8 ". If you just place your hand under the wheel bottom and just lift up, it has the play. A little less if you rock it side to side. No matter what tilt position. Yes, aware of no in and out position(telescoping).

I found a pic of the column on Ebay. I assume the forward bracket with the what looks like mounting studs is what secures the upper section closest to the steering wheel to the dash underside.
...or is there some other part of this assembly that could cause up and down and/or side to side play?
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...b3c6f9cea9.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...5dabb55e3a.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...837a868a81.jpg

About 1/8 movement is Kinda normal at this point. You can take off the lower cover and look a the pin that sits in the diffrent cam positions. Sometimes one of the pins falls out or developes a flat spot allowing for free play.

So, I just took another look at it and indeed, it seems it is at the cam/gear pin location causing a hinging up and down movement. Are the pins replaceable? Is it more likely the pin rather than the slotted cams? I really hate the movement.
Arrow showing the pin(s). Is it one long pin that can be driven out straight through?
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...3b9c14bc9f.jpg

This unit is a standard Ford piece, as used, for example, on the European Ford Mondeo. Should be easy enough to fix, but worth checking that the release lever is completely going home when pushed back.