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To check for play in the steering, raise the truck by the frame in front. You don't want any weight on the suspension, as this will give you incorrect results. After the truck is properly supported (jack stands ect.), get underneath and check for play in the inner and outer tie rods, pitman and idler arms by pushing directly up and pulling down on each part. There should virtually no play in any part. The tie rod ends will rock side to side, but there should be no play vertically up and down though. To check the ball joints, the wheel bearings need to be properly adjusted since a loose wheel bearing will give a false reading of a worn ball joint (at least the way I check them anyhow). With the front end of the truck still in the air, grab the top of the tire with one hand and pull towards you while pushing the bottom of the tire away from you. Do this is reverse (push the top of the tire away from you while pulling the bottom of the tire towards you). Basically you are rocking the tire back and forth with your hands at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. This procedure will check both the wheel bearings (if they are loose or bad) and the ball joints. If you have any play, check and adjust the wheel bearings and then recheck again. The weakest part of the suspension on the 2wd's is probably the stock steering damper. This looks like a shock that is mounted sideways. The stock ones tend to go bad rather quickly. If you see any fluid leakage around the damper, it's most likely shot. Mine quit leaking more than a decade ago on my 84. A bad steering stabilizer will cause excessive play in the steering, vibrations and kick back in the steering wheel, and steering wander. If the truck is more than 10 years old or has more than 100,000 miles, I would just replace it. The fluid could have all leaked out and good cleaning would remove any trace that it has indeed leaked out. Lastly, check all rubber bushings for excessive cracking or if they're just plain missing.
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