I have some play in my steering wheel. It's not excessive maybe 10 degrees or so total. My rack is new as is the shaft from the rack to the firewall. I don't see any play there. Is there another joint between the firewall and the steering wheel? I would assume it would be a solid shaft but with it having a tilt wheel I'm not sure.

 

I wouldn't rule out a crap rebuild of a rack (even if they claim it's new) from most aftermarket brands.

 

Did you ever figure out what the issue was?

 

Nope. Ended up selling the truck before I got that far.