Steering problem

[Malcolm Parker]

On Saturday I jacked the front of the RL saloon up to check the brakes.  These were found to be spot on and not in need of any attention.  The track rod ends have far too much up and down play so that is a job to do.   Whilst the front end was up on axle stands, I checked the steering for play. very nice in the straight ahead position but some tightness at half lock each way.  I noticed that the steering wheel was a bit wobbly and found that the retaining nut was loose, such that it could be turned by hand.  Simple fix, tighten the nut.   Having done this, with the nut only slightly tight, I found that the steering box was locked solid and the steering wheel could not be turned.   Slackened the nut and the steering wheel turned okay.   Thinking that the wheel was binding on the outer tube of the steering column, I wondered if the column had become unscrewed somehow, thereby lengthening the outer tube relative to the steering wheel.   I undid the clamp at the steering box and the locating peg only to find that the column was firmly screwed in and had not moved.  I was unable to turn the column either way.
Next thing I did was to loosen the three nuts on the side of the box to see if it was anything to do with the mesh of the gears, no difference.
My next plan is to take out the stator tube complete with the advance/retard and 'gas' levers so that I can remove the steering wheel.  This is not as simple as it sounds as I had to do it years ago when I replaced the steering box.  The job would be straightforward if the car had its original sunroof but from memory you have to loosen the box in order to fully withdraw the control tubes .
Before I start and submit my neighbours to a barage of swearing  I wondered if any forum members have any ideas as to what is going on?