me and my brother did the font end check today and all the bushings and everything had no play in them. the guy told me when i bought the truck he replaced the tie rod ends so them are new.long story short, no play in the front end components so it has to be the steering box. my bro just moved the wheel where there is play (about 4 inches back and forth) and the pitman arm didnt move. so its internally. so its a bad idea adjusting that stud on top of the box?
wheres a good place to look for a remanufactured box?

Don't forget to check the steering shaft for play also before you spend money on the box.

at this point there is nothing wrong with trying to adjust the sector shaft. and yes the dealers do this. its just not a scheduled maintenance item. the sector shaft is the shaft the pitman arm mounts to on the box. the adjustment is on the top of the box inline with the shaft. before starting you need to center the steering wheel. then find proper size allen or torx for screw then wrench for lock nut. loosen lock nut while keeping adjuster screw from moving. tighten screw in 1/8turn . then tighten lock nut back down. next you will have to road test, if it gets better but still has play do again. if you get to the point where you feel a notchy feeling turning the wheel back and forth over center you went too far with the adjustment and need to back it of a bit. just remember you will not need to move the adjuster screw very far 1/4-1/2 max. just make sure the wheel is center and that it wont bind passing over center when done.

If you need to do the adjustment then start saving for a box as it will fail soon.
the adjustment isnt going to take the play he has out. way too much.

Do not get a reman box especially made by larin. they wont be much better than you have. I went through remans like it was my job. Get a PSC box. they are $150 more but you wont ever have to replace it again.

did that test today. moved that screw about 1/4 or a little more. no change.
does the truck have to be running? it seemed like after the adjustment it would be stiffer then when you started it it would relax and be the same any ideas?

is the play you are talking about measured with the engine running or not. p/s gear boxes have a spool valve in them to divert pressure one way or the other. this can give a false perception of play in the box too.

it doesnt matter there is no play in the steering shaft its in the box. i can turn the wheel back and forth a bit off center where the play is and the pitman arm doesnt even move.