69 GTX steering click and vertical shaft movement

[ToddMcF2002]

Hi driving today I started to hear / feel an occasional click when turning and I’m seeing maybe 1mm of vertical play on the whole shaft where the pin is if I pull the steering wheel. Pic is not my column just a reference. Are my bearings going? Thoughts?

 

[ToddMcF2002]

So its the coupler. There is a bit of play between the shaft and the coupler and the noise is coming from the coupler. I need to drive this car at least another hour before pulling the shaft. Any risk?

 

[ToddMcF2002]

Here is a video of the coupler play. I see the dowel pin and roll pin is still there so I'm guessing its not unsafe?