Jeep mod-upper joint play?

[C10wip]

I put in the Jeep steering mod recently, with a '94 Cherokee as the donor. However, there is some play in the upper joint of the Jeep shaft. The shaft easily rotates back and forth ( closing the gap you see above the "M" ). This adds noticeable play to the system, but it looks like this is by design. I put heat to the shaft to collapse it but did not heat this area. Is there a rubber bushing or something in there that is shot?
I have seen the same type of joint in some of the DIY writeups, but my question is - has anyone had the same issue, and what did they do about it? I am tempted to tack the the two parts together. What do you think?