How much slop in steering shaft is normal?

[Kernal]

Went to replace the steering shaft seal (45292-35050) today and noticed that the shaft seems to have a significant about of play, maybe a half inch total out of the vertical axis of the shaft. Looking at the shaft there are two U-joints, one up under the dash and another under the dome shaped steel cover (link joint protector) down by the steering gear box; they both appear tight but the rag joint appears to be where most of the play is taking place. The nuts holding the rag joint onto the upper shaft are tight but there is movement between the upper steel plate and the two studs of the rag joint. Question is, how much movement is normal?

 

[Offroads4x4]

They build in some play due to chuck holes, curbs, crash/accident......(so the wheel doesn't get ripped from your hands hard). Your wheel should turn about 1/2" to 3/4" side to side. The vertical movment is so you have some space before the steering wheel crushes your chest in an accident (allows it to compress before impact).

If your driving down the road and your rig has freeplay side to side of more than 1/2" to 3/4" it may be time to adjust you steering box.

 

[Kernal]

The movement I'm referring to is from the floor of the foot well pushing up on the shaft near the rag joint (ie: 90 degrees to the axis of the shaft) toward the bottom of windshield. Was wondering how much play is normal for the rag/rubber joint. In the photo you can see daylight through the firewall as the seal has disintegrated.

 

[Offroads4x4]

From what I can see in the photo it looks like normal freeplay movement left to right would happen. The joint looks good.

 

[Free 2 4X4]

Mine is the same with excess play 90 degrees from the shaft axis, I intend to buy a new rag/rubber joint as it doesn't look right to me

 

[Kernal]

I'm now thinking the lateral movement is likely due to the design of the shaft components along with normal flexibility of the flexible connector (rag joint) but it would help if someone had a complete steering column laying around to compare. With two small U-joints about two feet apart and the rag joint there's going to be some flex; guess there has to be to account for movement between the frame and the body?? Either way it seems like the seal needs to be more robust, like thicker rubber maybe.