[IGadget]

It all depends on where the play is coming from. If it is in the steering gear about the only thing you can do is replace it. I've seen one mod that allows hydrolic assisted steering, but I don't believe it is legal to use on the road. The play could also be coming from any of the components of the steering system. the drag link; tie rods; etc.

To see how much play there is overall - with the engine off (no power steering) but not in park (otherwise the steering wheel lock engages) turn the wheel over to one side until you feel resistance from the tires. Mark the top center of the steering wheel with something. Then turn it back until you get resistance on the other side. That will give you the approximate amount of play in the system from the gearbox to the end of your tie rods. Now here is the fun part, I have no idea what is considered normal. As you can see from my sig, every one of these I've had has had over 150K on it.

I just checked my 85 in this manner and came up with about 70-80 degrees of rotation. This truck is either very tight, or the wheels need camber adjustment(I suspect they do).

The alignment will affect how it moves on the road as well. If you wanted a really easy way to let someone else figure out what is wrong, take in in for an alignment. They should find out pretty quickly where the loose parts are.

- Toe is the front to back distance not being equal, if you have ever skied, this is like a snow plow, or that other technique that hurts a lot.

- Camber is the tops are not the same distance apart as the bottoms or a bowlegged skier.

- Castor is a bit harder to explain... if you stick to the skier analogy, it is how far forward or back the skiers legs are angled from being straight up and down from where his legs meet the boots.

I don't remember what it was for my 87 van, but that was like driving a bus, you had to sorta let it drift towards one side and then lightly steer against it.

If you visit a yard, the steering box from any of the RC's or trucks of the correct age vehicles should work. Steering boxes from dodge vans wont though. It is one of the few parts that are not exchangeable between the vans and trucks. The truck steering box is a straight through item and the van one makes a nice right angled turn at the bottom.

Good luck.
IG