Next trip under your Expy front end guys, could you give the universal joint connected to the steering box a look for me? Mine ('97 2WD but I assume a 4X4 is similar) has about 3/16th of an inch of end play. The input shaft does not push in and out of the steering box, BUT the universal, where it clamps to the splined shaft, will slide up and down the shaft. The clamp bolt is tight and the input shaft definately does not move. I can put my finger inside the joint, feel the end of the shaft, and slide the universal in and out. Also, I seem to have play in the bearing or sleeve where the steering shaft comes through the firewall. If I grasp this shaft 2/3s of the way to the fire wall and push/pull there seems to be excessive play.
Am I grasping at straws here?
Oh, by the way, to get to the universal you need to unlatch a plastic cover and slide it up the steering shaft. There are 2 clips that look like they hold the cone but after a few choise words, I found that they hold the plastic bearing/grease seal cover of the box to the box. The cone shaped cover you need to move has a plastic clamp slipped over a bolt or tube on the top of the cover where you can not see it. It comes off easy but is invisible from below.
Thanks to all,