65\' Comet Caliente\' Steering

My Steering Wheel is screwing down onto my steering column when I turn to the right. I heard something pop/snap one day when I was making a right turn. I took the steering wheel off and all I found was a metal ring/sleeve that was split all the way down the side. I don't know if this is my problem or it was like this all along. Please somebody with some knowledge on steering/steering columns please respond.

i had that same problem on my 65 cyclone about 3 years ago and havnt driven it since. at the time instead of trying to diagnose the problem i decided to replace the column and steering box. still havnt replaced the column but the problem was surley in the gear box. now what started as steering problem repair has turned into a ground up project. i hate when that happens.
[addsig]