Old thread resurection.
Mine started popping and it was driving me nuts. I pulled the intermediate shaft and cleaned and lubed. No help. It sounded and felt like it was right at the steering wheel so in I went. Front wheels off the ground. Batteries disconnected. Split the clam shells on the column. Two screws hold the air bag and cap in place. Work from the side! Got it off and carefully unplugged the three plugs. Ok, down to the clockspring.

I thought it might be the clockspring so I removed and the click/pop was still there. I pulled steering wheel off and i could see the open ball bearing that supports the top end of the shaft. Kind of cheesy as it reminded me of the old ball bearings on a bicycle wheel. It looked kind of dry so I squirted a little spray lithium grease into the bearing and stuck the wheel back on. Better! I gave it another shot of the spray lube and then went and got a syringe and filled it with grease. I worked a good amount down into the bearing and worked it back and forth with the steering wheel a couple of times.

I reassemble the whole mess and I am pretty sure she is cured. I have driven it a week now and no sign of the annoying popping. If it lasts another 250,000 I'll be happy as a clam.