Recently I've noticed every time I leave the pavement, I can feel vibration coming through the steering wheel. I popped the hood and checked the column, there is a lot of slop. What is the most common cause of this? and can an average guy do it at home?

 

It may be ball joints or tie rod. I would take it to a shop soon and find out. My truck feels light on the front end so I took mine in and thats what they said, so I need to get mine do soon too

 

I just had the ball joints replaced, and they said the tie rods and idler arm where ok. I guess a second opinion wouldn't hurt.

 

Did they check the pitman arm? I know a few people have had problems wtih those.

 

You said you checked the column and there was slop, is the slop you speak of between the steering box and steering wheel or between the box and the tires?