This makes no damn sense.

I've had issues with aftermarket wheels rubbing on the column, but not with OE wheels..

I'm betting lower column bearing is munched, and removing the wheel allowed it to loosen a bit, something along those lines. I'm trying to remember what holds the shaft axially..... there is a friction ring at the bottom holding that bearing in, what's at the top?

In either case, I'd pull the column from the pot coupler up, it should spin freely. If not.... you know where to go next.