My steering wheel has some slack in it, I can pull it out, and push it back in, about 2". The What is lose? It seems its just inside my column.

 

What kind of car?
In most steering columns such movement is impossible. In Escapes, theres an 8mm bolt at the base of the steering wheel behind a plastic flap that may have turned loose, but 2 inches would have it falling off...
Some cars have Telescoping Steering wheels, mostly just the hoity toity Lincoln variety.

 

It may not come out 2", but maybe 1" or so. Everything seems tight under the hood. The steering wheel nut is tight also. Ive got a 1976 Ford, 4x4, F-150.