are you talking about the steering shaft itself or the two mounting areas?

i think your talking about the rag joint, it has a round disc make of what looks like heater hose material, it is like a u joint but its supossed to act as a vibration and bump asorber, you should be able to get a new one at any auto parts place

thanks so much, i will check it out.

http://www.fordpinto.com/pinto-faq/steering-discsteering-couplerrag-joint/

Here's some info on it.  I don't know of any parts stores that can look it up for you, but the Napa universal #630-1012 fits - I put one in my car.  They could not look it up by application nor could Parts Plus - and Ford told me a couple dealers in other states had old stock.  You need to pull the column and take the rivets off with a grinder, then bolt the new one in.  Not that bad of a job aside from reaching down to unbolt it - as long as you have access to a grinder.

Your car is currently being steered by only the safety bracket put around the joint slapping the steering box - don't drive it much til you fix this.

The joint on my 78 failed back in the early 90s - it was made of a plasticky compound.  I drilled out the rivets and cut a round disc from an old bald steel belted tire to bolt in.  It still looks and works great to this date. 

The joint on my Olds came from the factory with - get this - a round steel belted rubber disc!  After cleaning it, it looks like brand new!