Can't find any evidense of a part without the locking finger. On the contrary, they all describe the locking function.
It is missing.
http://technicopedia.com/1988.html "This part ratchets inside the lower support to stop at discreet angles."
http://technicopedia.com/8832.html "This model effectively has tilt steering since the angle of the steering column can be changed."
There even a comment about our part missing more details here:
https://rebrickable.com/parts/2792/techn...thed-ends/
The bottom needs a complete rework.
It is missing.
http://technicopedia.com/1988.html "This part ratchets inside the lower support to stop at discreet angles."
http://technicopedia.com/8832.html "This model effectively has tilt steering since the angle of the steering column can be changed."
There even a comment about our part missing more details here:
https://rebrickable.com/parts/2792/techn...thed-ends/
The bottom needs a complete rework.