Steering column washer - is this right?

[mr self destruct]

I took my steering column apart as I could feel a knock (turns out its around the steering rack anyway), and while getting the wheel off I noticed this:



It looks like the spring is jammed onto the column by the washer and doesn't appear to do anything. The steering wheel only slips on as far as the taper on the column of course, but is this spring supposed to act against the wheel or what? The washer is jammed solid onto the column.

[bomp]

Don't forget to account for the thickness of the stalks/arms. 

But it looks like its been roughly repaired in the past, top bearing perhaps?

Something don't look right but it's been a while since I had mine apart.

[rubjonny]

that is correct for a small spline car, the spring is there to put tension on the column to remove any play, not put tension on the wheel.

[mr self destruct]

Ahh cheers.
 It was the damage to the column that was making me thing something wasn't right too.

[rubjonny]

my guess is the column has been replaced and the damage is eaither from hammering thew washer on or grinding off an old spline adaptor