points to check (it sounds like there is alot of play):
Column lever where the rod and adjuster bolt to the shift lever. There is a plastic bushing with rubber surrounding it that can fall out.
Where the rod meeds the crossbar, you may need to ream this hole out and install a bushing (brass is easy to come by).
Crossbar to the trans linkage. this area can wear down to almost nothing, a peice of vacuum hose over one leg will keep that from happening again and take up some space while its there. Once you tighten these area's up, it will be like new
Chances are, there is nothing physically wrong with the column.