Are outer steering column covers supposed to be slightly bent?

[NHRoadrunner]

Took apart the whole column of my 1969 RR today and noticed the outer column cover (the thing with the criss cross metal cage) has a slight bend to it starting at the cage area. It appears on eBay the few I see also have a slight bend. Is this normal or do they get damaged somehow with use?

 

[Runner 68]

Pics would help.

 

[NHRoadrunner]

It's late where I am so I will get one tomorrow

 

[dadsbee]

Only takes one hit off the wheel or someone having a temper tantrum to deform the collapsible column tube.

 

[turbine68rt]

I think the japanese lantern style collapsible column cover is slightly waved so that during impact it folds up as designed instead of randomly distorting.

 

[khryslerkid]

Only takes one hit off the wheel or someone having a temper tantrum to deform the collapsible column tube.