Reply to "Vague steering, need help!"

Play? Should be practically none. There are a few easy fixes possible:
1)- under the dash there is a 'D' shaped shaft that telecopes inside a hollow tube which is part of a collapsible steering shaft in the event of a collision. There is almost always considerable slop between the two parts which can be minimized by somehow squeezing the sides of the tube in. Originally, there were strips of plastic in there; some try forcing home-made replacements inside. Others less patient simply drill a hole clear thru both parts and install a big cotter pin, figuring the pin will shear in a collision and the shafts will then work as planned.
2)- there are two u-joints in the steering- one of which may be failing and can be checked by hand from under the dash & front end for tightness. New u-joints are pricy and are the same ones used in the shift shaft.
3)- the coupling between the steering rack pinion shaft and the steering shaft sometimes loosens up; servicable by pulling the left side front wheel off and tightening up the bolt. Beyond that, damage to the rack or pinion itself- often from lack of lube, a worn steering rack bushing, worn tie rod ends, a cracked bushing inside the steering column- the list of les common possibles goes on.
Every year, I like to lay under the car and grab, pull and jerk on everything I can reach. If something moves at all under my poor efforts, I start investigations right there.