I posted on 4-6-16 about my steering adjustment where I turned adjustment about 1 full turn. Steering was tighter and better and less play. After about 1000 miles, it now has little play and “more tight” to the point it wants to continue to track left or right and not return to center easily and is somewhat scary to drive. So, now I backed off the adjustment half a turn and no initial difference. I now have several questions:
1. Does it take some time for the adjustment to “kick-in”?
2. Am I risking catastrophic failure where I could lose all steering control while driving?
3. Is it most likely the steering gear box that needs replacing?
BACKGROUND: The loose steering was immediately noticeable when new balljoints were installed about a year ago and new tires. I took the vehicle to the tire shop complaining of loose steering after several months. They said the balljoints were loose and replaced balljoints (greaseable) for a second time and reported that all other front suspension parts were ok and alignment was done. Steering was still loose but I drove off thinking I could live with it. The loos steering becomes extra scary when towing my travel trailer. So, I researched and found this thread and attempted the steering gearing box adjustment myself. Vehicle has a total of 175,000 miles. 5.9 Diesel 4x4 2500 Dodge Ram.