A rolling element intermediate shaft assembly includes a solid shaft having first and second ends. Also included is a tubular shaft configured to receive the first end, the tubular shaft having an inner wall with an axially extending groove formed therein, the axially extending groove having an inner surface. Further included is a wear plate having a bottom surface and an elastically deformable body having first and second ends, the body defining an axially extending channel, the body of the wear plate received in the tubular shaft groove. Yet further included is an outer surface of the body of the wear plate defining a gap between the wear plate and the axially extending groove of the tubular shaft, the gap reduced upon flexure of the wear plate. Also included is at least one ball bearing disposed within the wear plate channel between the wear plate and the solid shaft.