What does this steering column clip do?

[Katfish]

What is the circled clip?
Is it critical and must be in place?

[anlauto]

It holds the plastic collar bushing in place 

[Dakota]

I think that's the retaining clip for the plastic bushing at the bottom of the column that keeps the steering shaft centered in the column.   I don't know how likely it is for the bushing to fall out if the clip is missing, but you're steering would get sloppy in a hurry if it does. 

I ended up replacing the bushing with a bearing to tighten up the steering based on posts I saw on c-c.com.  I'm sure the pictures there are long gone now but I'm also sure a past thread can be located if it's something you want to pursue. 

[Bullitt-]

  Is this what he's asking about?
https://www.detroitmuscletechnologies.com/mopar-a-body-70-73-b-70-72-e-70-73-lower-steering-column-shift-tube-bushing-bearing-foam-seals-clip/

[Katfish]

Thx for the replies, definitely helps.
I'm trying to figure out a way to secure the lockout tube without removing it.
I was originally thinking about adding a set screw through 1 of the holes where that clip is.
But now I'm wondering if adding the foam bushing in the DMT kit would hold it in place.

Some background, I didn't like the way the unused lever on the lockout tube looked, so I cut it off.
But now it sometimes moves while driving, and I can't remove the key until I manually rotate the tube by hand.
I guess the extra weight of that lever (even though there was nothing attached to it) kept the tube from rotating while driving.

[anlauto]

You know you can manually turn the tube while sitting in the car right ?

[Katfish]

Really how would I do that?
That would solve my problems

[anlauto]

While sitting behind the wheel, get a hold of the third collar down on the steering column, closest to the dash and turn it right or left until you get the key out....if you have more energy, bend down and you'll see two little notches on the two collars, those have to be lined up to remove the key.

The collar I'm talking about is directly connected to the inner tube...if you retained all the proper linkage, you would see that collar move when the car was shifted into park (auto) or into reverse (manual)

[Katfish]

I had no idea, you saved me !
Can't thank you enough, so much easier than going under the hood.