I have a 95 4runner 4x4 3vze that has about 1 inch of play in the steering wheel. I have adjusted the steering box and while it did make the steering tighter when moving there is still play until anything actually happens. I know the FSM mentions that steering wheel should have about 1 inch of play but it feels really loose to me. It feels almost like the teeth have worn out on the shaft or steering box and it has play in it. Is this normal?

 

Start from the beginning please. Have you replaced tie rods and other steering components?

 

So I lifted the tires from the ground and shook the tires both at 3 & 9 and at 6 & 12 positions. There was a little play in the 6 & 12 positions. I already have new lower ball joints just haven't had time to put them on. I also had someone move the steering while I looked underneath the car. There didn't seem to be any play anywhere I could actually see.

 

Id replace everything else before tryna fine tune the gears in the box