Anything wrapped around your steering column at the bottom?

[Bears Dad]

Guys...
Can you have a look at the bottom of your steering column? Is there a rubber or plastic sleeve wrapped around the steering column just before it goes into the plastic clamping ring?

 

[VeeDubMan]

Sounds like a PO attempts to prevent any undue earthing happening

 

[Trikky2]

There should be a plastic ring between the column tube and the base.