Volkswagen A1 lower steering column bearing sleeve (Cabriolet, Golf Mk1, Scirocco)

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This sleeve/bushing is designed to replace the original plastic one, which is part of VW part number 171 419 517. If your original outer race and bearing are still good like mine were, clean them, grease them, and put them in this part, which compresses flush into the lower end of the steering column tube. I printed it at 55% infill with PLA. It's working so far, but I've got to think nylon or something else more durable would be a vastly better choice. And I'll just hope for a mild summer... Update: The PLA bushing has made it an entire year without issues. Update 2: Now at 2.5 years on the car with no problems. Background This is partly related to the problem described here: http://www.timbox.net/technotes/steering-column-bearings/ Golf Mk1s and other VW A1 vehicles' steering columns have an issue related to the mating of the steering column shaft to the lower end of the tube that houses it. When working properly, an inner race (compression fit to the shaft) spins in a pin bearing housed in an outer race, compression fit to the tube with a plastic bushing. In practice, that plastic bushing tends to disintegrate, allowing the pin bearing to fall out, even though the inner race, outer race, and bearing are all just fine. The outer race, bearing, and plastic housing all together form VW part number 171419517. The most likely part to fail is the plastic housing, which can be replaced separately. See also http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?6877201-DIY-CHEAP-HILLBILLY-fix-DREADED-LOWER-STEERING-COLUMN-BEARING-171419517-VW The inner race can also have problems, with its inner plastic section disintegrating. I did not have this issue, but there's also a 3d printable solution to it floating around - see http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?7662865-Steering-column-bearing-New-trick-to-old-problem German Auto Parts also sells an aftermarket replacement bearing and sleeve (VW #171419517) as their part #GAP17116. They sell the inner race (VW #171419518A) as GAP17466.