Is the steering column supposed to move around when you remove the steering rack?

[freefallin]

I just removed the steering rack off my VZ and noticed that when trying to get the pinion/steering shaft off the coupling shaft (you know the part where the steering column meets the steering rack. There is a 13mm? bolt/nut holding them together), the actual coupling and what it is connected to which is the steering column freely moves! Is that normal?
I don't mean it swivels, i mean its like the entire steering column is only firmly held in place and made stable by the rack, which in turn is only held in place by 2 bolts. Is this right?

Reason i am wondering is cz i noticed before the steering wheel would shake whenever i went over bumps. I am not talking about a shake that is caused by the tires moving which in turn causes the steering to shake/turn. I mean the entire column feels like it is shaking as if the column is directly in contact with the street.

Can anyone shed light on this plz?!

Cheers!

 

[SavVYute]

There's a uni joint at the firewall as well as where it couples to the rack.
Sounds like the bolts holding the unit to the dashboard or the firewall could be loose.

 

[freefallin]

There's a uni joint at the firewall as well as where it couples to the rack.
Sounds like the bolts holding the unit to the dashboard or the firewall could be loose.

Thanks a mill for the diagram and info! VERY helpful!

Any idea how to access the bolt on the fireframe? Hope its not a dash out job.

 

[SavVYute]

Looking at the diagram you should be able to grab hold of the steering column under the dash and firmly pull on it/shake it to see if there's movement first.

You know if you're not too sure on what you're doing I'd be getting a steering specialist to check it over.
If you've disconnected the steering rack you should have marked the alignments beforehand, secured the steering wheel in place and then need to torque everything up to spec after. There's also the airbag in the equation to think about.

There's also the possibility the cars been in an accident at some stage and something has broken.