Steering column "worn out?"

[Oldschoolpaulie]

I have a 2006 base model w/ a little over 50,000 miles on it. I started getting some wobbling feedback through the steering wheel, and figured I had a warped front rotor. I took it in for service today, and they said my lower control arm bushings and tie rods needed to be replaced... which didn't stun me considering the number of miles on it... but then they said the wobbling I'm getting is because the steering column is "worn out" and needs to be replaced in its entirety.
I have a bad habit of torquing on the steering wheel to pull my self out of the vehicle... and the wheel is loose, but I always assumed it was the nut on the steering wheel, as I've done this on other vehicles before. They say they checked it and it is "worn out"
Is this a common issue for PT Cruisers? I'm skeptical. Does the horn cover just pull off, or is there a trick to getting to the nut? I don't want to break anything getting to the nut to check it.

[Wolfman01]

I'd say get the suspension work done first. I can't say that I've heard of a steering column "wearing out". I think this mechanic thinks he has a gullible customer.

Mine has north of 150k on it, and definitely needs suspension work as it bangs and clunks like mad on rough roads.

[VsandFords]

The wobble could be as simple as a tire that needs to be rebalanced. You could have one that is out of round, not knowing how many miles are on them. Tires can separate with age and wear. Inner or outer tie rod ends could also be the cause.

[JonN]

Something else to note is that if you get the tie rods replaced to make sure the new ones have grease fittings.

[chuzz]

You need to find somewhere else to take your PT. I've owned a LOT of cars over the past 45 years and NEVER had one with a worn out steering column. You can get replacement Lower Control Arms from rockauto for a good price. That's where I got my Moog LCA's along with sway bar bushings and sway bar end links.

[cfm56doc]

Suggest looking at your inner and out tie rods along woth ball joints for wear. My money is on bad tie rods.

Guess it could also be a bad steering rack but kind of doubt that.

As previously stated, never seen a worn out steering column. In fact, there is only one joint that could possible produce any slop and I don't see how it could be worn out.