Steering Column Popping...

I just got my car running again and now the steering column is popping sort of. It did sit for 6 months before that, but now the steering column is like popping. That is the best word I can use describe the noise, but when you turn the steering wheel either direction quickly, it kind of pops. It is a standard steering column with three in the tree, but now it is in an automatic, so all that is disconnected.

I don't know if it is safe to drive, but I have to drive it Monday, kinda critical that I make a 140 mile drive mostly highway.