Steering Shaft Fire wall Bushing/ Gusset/ Seal???? WTF Just a ??

So I was doing some work to my steering shaft and had to smack the link around a little bit to get it apart. Upon reinstallation I noticed a clinking sound when I pulled back and forth on the wheel.
I am not worried about it really but in my quest to learn my truck through and through Id like a little more information.
I have narrowed it down to where the steering shaft from the wheel goes through the fire wall. The shaft has a wabble which then clinks against the fire wall (almost positive this is it).
I am just curious as to what the seal for this is. Just a rubber gusset? or Seal? Is there a bearing or washers in there somewhere? Could I have loosened this up while ringing away at the link?

Here is a painful picture as a reference (actually I had fun making it so f^k you if you dont like it)

 

its just a rubber grommet thing...mine fell out just slid down the shaft.....it wont stay in haha

 

heres pix of mine

 

Yep thats the one. Any one elses clink?

 

mine did but turned out to be loose spindle bolts....i think on hard hit the shaft hits the firewall....makes a super loud bang, almost like the shaft snapped.

 

It seems too free in there. Oh well, we'll see if it tries to fall apart on me. haha

 

have you done the zip tie mod? it tightened my steering some

 

Lets hear it>

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/88077-steering-column-fix.html

 

Thats ridiculious. Gotta check it out.

 

I am not having any weird clinking clanking or rattles but upon opening my hood today I found this, rubber grommet seems to have torn and popped out sliding down the shaft.