97 ds steering column moves up and down

[smokey tennis shoe]

On a 97 ds, all of a sudden the steering column ( wheel and all) will lift up and down about 1 1/2". It also will make a loud creak sound as soon as you turn the wheel either to the left or to the right.

It steers fine. I looked underneath to see what i could, and you can see where the end of the shaft comes thru that mounting block and attaches onto the knuckle. I can watch from underneath, and see the entire assembly, move upwards and actually moves out of the hole in the mounting block.

David suggested i make sure the knuckle hadn't dropped down the splines. but that wasn't the issue. The knuckle is tight and also moves up and down with the entire assembly.

I'm not sure a column rebuild kit will help, since the problem seems to be outside the column and shaft???

Any ideas?/