Jon,
I am going to take a different path on this post. Your box is just like the picture you enclosed. Their is only one adjustment, and that is for the sector gear. The worm preload is adjusted with shims under the endcap and only addressed when rebuilding the box.
I am not sure why you want to pull the drag link and pitman arm off. Adjusting the steering does not require this to be done.
Jack the front of the truck up, loosen the locknut around the small bolt with the screwdriver slot in it. Slowly, in small steps tighten (turn it in) the bolt with the slot in it. As you make a adjustment, you MUST turn the wheel lock to lock from the cab and feel for binding.
The worm gear wears most in the "wheels straight ahead" position. If you tighten the sector to zero play in this position, you will find that as you turn the wheel, it will start to get hard.
Adjust as much free play out as you can without any binding on lock to lock movement. Do not expect to get it all out..this isn't a Swiss watch.
Don't pull the pitman arm for this procedure. Don't pull the drag link unless you are going to rebuild it...it has tons of adjustment. Pull the big cotter pin and tighten the huge screw a tad.
There is a hefty spring on the inside of of both ends...I don't think you can mash it, but don't tighten these big screw heads with a 18" cheater bar. When tight, the cotter pin should still lay in the screw slot.
Every item on the front end can wear, and when you add all this up, you get play. Nothing short of a complete rebuild with king pins and new tie rod ends will make this perfect again.
Do a search for "steering gear lubricant"..your eyes will pop out!
Stuart
