You are probably right, I have had mine on for a bit over a month with no sign of wear whatsoever but I lubed it really well with graphite powder also before it went on.
You can run a manual valve body with a column shift, just not a reverse manual.
With the manual VB all of the TP linkage can go away. (just leave the lever off if the VB comes with the rod for it. (most don't as far as I know)