Free play in the steering wheel should not be adjusted by messing with the lash adjuster. This is to set the preload in the steering gear. If you don’t know what you are doing here I suggest that you leave it alone.
On the top of the steering box you will see 4 hex head 10mm bolts holding on an access cover. In the center of the access cover there is an adjustment screw with a counter tightening nylock nut.
The following adjustments must be made with drag link disconnected from pitman arm and flange removed from worm shaft.
Loosen lock nut and turn lash adjuster screw all the way in (clockwise), then out (counterclockwise) three turns. This will remove load imposed on worm bearings by close meshing of rack and sector teeth.
Using a socket on steering gear worm shaft, turn shaft from one stop all the way to the other carefully counting total number of turns.
NOTE: Do not turn hard against stops when drag link is disconnected as damage to ball guides may result.
Turn the shaft back one-half total number of turns to center position and using an inch-pound torque wrench, measure pull required to keep worm shaft in motion through center position. This should be 1-1/2 - 5-1/2 inch pounds. If indicated pull does not lie between given limits, make the following adjustments:
a. Loosen lock nut
b. Turn adjuster until required resistance to pull is reached.
c. Tighten lock nut and recheck pull. It must lie between limits specified after lock nut is tightened.
Note: Turn lash adjuster screw clockwise to remove lash and counter-clockwise to increase lash from gear teeth.
I would bet that your TRE's and/or DLE's are worn out. Or you broke your frame. common issue on these trucks.
