Originally Posted by maxdef

We might be having a similar issue- I'd replaced all things steering/suspension/bushing but still had a weird wander/play even though steering input is very tight and responsive. I temporarily improved things by moving the steering shaft collar slightly up toward the firewall as people have done on this forum, and I've had no play on the shaft/u-joints as they're all healthy.
What I've noticed is that I can lightly thump on the shaft near the collar with my hand and there is a clank of sorts coming from lower down, like along the steering rack rather than on the column. This is something I recently found and am trying to pinpoint, but I feel they might be related. Have you noticed any noises from yours or just the looser steering?

Originally Posted by MikeinNH67

As Gimli mentions, you can watch the steering shaft to make sure it's the issue or not. I could see there was slop in my u-joint from above. Look at it with key on but engine off, have someone move the steering wheel side to side but not so far that the tire wheels turn. I replaced it with an aftermarket one that has been on the truck for a few years now with no issues. Pretty basic part but I did have a slight fitment issue, it seems like it was slightly shorter than the old one.