Had similar problem with a Pajero. We had it in for a service but while I was pulling it out of the workshop the bush/bearing popped out of the steering column, leaving the wheel 'floppy'. This had happened to the owner twice before over the last 5 years and had been repaired by us on the understanding that it was temporary repair. The last time being about 18 months previously.

I pointed out to the guy that it wasn't caused by anything we'd done and it would've popped out on whoever had driven it. He went away on the understanding that to re-fit it (again) would be chargeable. I then get a visit from his wife demanding we REPLACE the bush F.O.C (which I believe is supplied with the column!) as '..it wasn't like that when it was dropped off!'. She was well aware of the previous problems with this bush.

I asked her: 'If the gearbox had fallen to bits while I was road-testing it would it be reasonable to hold me responsible for repairing it?'

She said 'Yes'!

I'm still waiting to see how it turns out.

The kicker is - These people were supposedly good friends of my Wife and I - and I did the first repair on the column f.o.c!!