Ken K
I'm Awesome
The un-spoken part never discussed is the intermediate shaft and it's joints. The main steering shaft fits inside the top end of the intermediate shaft, while the bottom has a rag joint, then finally the steering gear. The upper joint has had several TSB's mostly for noise. But by design, it contains two spring loaded square blocks with dimples to hold lubricant. These internal parts do wear and are subject to special grease and sometime a kit listed in a TSB that may include a new rubber boot, grease, blocks, springs, nylon inserts depending on how yours is designed. It should be tight enough to keep rotational movement to a minimum but it allows for cab to frame movement as the effective length changes with flexing between the two. This joint aids in keeping the shaft from pushing the main shaft into the cab, just above your belly button. That is hopefully eliminated by a collapsable wire cage as part of the intermediate or next to it. The main thing is to get an eyeball on the parts under the hood while someone is slowly rocking the steering wheel back & forth an 1" to start while carefully looking for lack of movement. Then focus on the steering box even if you have to look from the bottom up. Put a hand on the input shaft to feel and watch the pitman arm. All movement should be simultaneous. Even the lower column bearing if worn should be included.