[CSGAS]

I have had a rag joint come apart on me while parking. Thank God it was while parking! This is why there are Help! rag joints. It usually happens as a result of oil soaking, not wear and tear like belts.

Most rag joint intermediate shafts also do not have a collapsible section, and don't provide as much vibration reduction as the ones integrated into the late shafts.

I do notice that the u-joints on that shaft in the pics seem to be 45° out of phase...was that assembly up by the column welded that way when you found it? It won't vibrate like a high rpm driveshaft would, but it could be creating a "tight-then-loose-then tight..." binding feel every 45° as you turn your wheel.