steering wheel won't lock, and sounds like it's loose

That's never happened to me, but I have removed that mechanism before; on drag cars, you aren't allowed to have that mechanism.

It has been probably 15 years since I tore a column apart, but I believe I can remember what I did. I think after I removed the steering wheel, I lifted off the turn signal mechanism, removed 3 screws holding the upper column on, removed it and exposed a round gear with numerous slots in it. I believe I just pulled that gear up the shaft and off the column. I may have used a gear puller, but I can't remember. You should see a tab that slips in between each one of the slots on the gear. The spring is probably broken on it to allow the symptoms you are describing.