I've got a 95 ext cab flareside. I've got some play in the steering that I want to get taken care of. I was thinking it was the pitman arm as I had the same problem in a 69 Skylark more than 20 years back. However, I was reading a couple posts and everybody was saying that the pitman arm is a non-wearing part. Any ideas what could be causing the play? I'm just looking for a place to start.

I'm not a big DIY guy, but its about time that this becomes my play truck and I want to do most of the fixing myself. I bought the truck in 97 and just haven't had to do much to it, short of changing the fan clutch and I'm real eager to get to know the mechanics of my baby better.

 

The steering box (gear) could be worn or out of adjustment. Or worn parts in the linkage.
Put a jack right under that bolt head just inboard of the tire. Grab the wheel and try and move it, back and front, top and bottom. See what's moving independent of what it's attached to if you follow that.

 

Check

Wheel bearings
Ball joints
Tie rod ends
Centerlink
Steering box adjustment
Steering shaft rag joint
Steering shaft slide joint

Play in one or all of these parts can cause excessive steering play.