Ever since I got the truck the steering has been "loose", with some play in the steering wheel, lately I have been getting a bad shake in the wheel when hitting bumps a certain way, what do I look for? Are the steering kits on eBay (TRE's, pitman arm, idler arm...) worth it or are they junk?

 

Here is the thing about your question- I can tell you parts to throw at it the would affect this but why not just jack up both wheels under the control arms and wiggle the front wheels to actually see what is wrong. Much cheaper that way.