The 3" play is simply holding a tape measure at the steering wheel when it is centered and then rotating, watching the horizontal bar (the one you can grip while you're driving). 3" of travel is measured before wheels begin to move. I sure do hope it is normal. I still have enough headaches to deal with before it is roadworthy. The truck is in my garage with concrete floor. I could only hope it is an adjustment in the steering box. I don't know anything about adjusting it. There is a square shaped screw.

54 Chevy 3100 Deluxe 3 speed on column. Keeping original as possible but changed to 12 volt system.
JB Weld..."I put that stuff on everything"