shifts into neutral when i turn steering wheel left

There is a tiny snap ring atop that little bearing. Removing it is straight forward. The bearing would slide right on when new but wont slide right off today. Forces applied over time have generated a bur at that snap ring groove. Yo should find enough movement to lift the shaft while pushing the bearing down. Do that and use a tiny file, and emery cloth, whatever, to remove said bur and clean up shaft. Bearing slides off.
His problem has nothing to do with the bearing, or anything else at the wheel end of his column.
The steering shaft is rubbing against the shift tube down by the firewall. Its a simple adjustment.