Need help on Headers/ PS

Something looks WAY out of whack with your column alignment.
U-joint or not, that column does not align with the steering box very well at all- and that "noise internally like bearings are shot" is at least partially because the column is rubbing against the headers. It appears that if your column was better aligned, that interference would disappear.
I'd go under the dash, and loosen up the column plate where it goes through the floor/firewall, and loosen up the plate bolts. Then shift the entire column over to the left as far as you can and retighten the bolts. If the interference disappears, you're good. Then you can assess whether the column itself actually does need work or replacement.