Wow, nice tutorial, Ranger!

My question is not about slop in the steering, but slop in the steering wheel, as if the nut that holds the steering wheel on is loose (it's not). The looseness is in the up and down, and left and right movement of the wheel and column.

Spazz, I got that "you need a new steering box" crap in the past, too. I insisted they just align the front end and they reluctantly did so. Steers fine with even tire wear ever since. Fortunately, the mechanic mentioned above is very trustworthy.