Lower steering shaft U joint replacement

[Mozambique]

2010 V8 at 220k km.
So with engine off there is noticeable play in the steering wheel. Can wiggle it from side to side with one finger. Pretty sure its wear in the lower steering shaft U joint.
Looking online for a replacement part.
Seems to be a choice of $CAD 500 for OEM or $CAD 50 for generic aftermarket.
Don't really want to spend $500 on OEM, but then this is a part I do not want to prematurely fail!
Has anyone already done theirs and found a replacement part that was cheaper than OEM, but not what must be in garbage territory at $50?

 

[stanski]

Same situation as you but in my case the steering occasionally binds and lubricating the u-joint showed some temporary improvement, so I'm assuming that mine is going too (2011 LR4). I suspected the power steering pump first but since lubrication helped, and this is a known to fail part, I'm almost certain it's the shaft.

Found some reviews on amazon for one of those cheap aftermarket parts and they are mixed at best.

Here are the reviews for reference: https://www.amazon.ca/labwork-Steer...51/dp/B081J3Z666#averageCustomerReviewsAnchor

Atlantic British have a replacement (https://www.roverparts.com/steering/steering-racks-columns/LR071147/).
You might save a few bucks compared to OEM, even after shipping, but it won't be cheap by any means.

 

[MellonRover]

Atlantic British is an allmakes. Put one in my 2010 two years ago, got another last week for the 2012.
I didn't want to do the job twice, so got the better one. That's the one you want. Still like $300, but job is fiddly and it'll be worth it.

 

[Mozambique]

Thanks for your thoughts. I bit the bullet and spent $CAD 500 on OEM. Replaced it last week. One of the few jobs on the vehicle that was easier than it first looked. No more slop in steering