Question for those who have had a steering box on the bench

[Archengine]

How much play should there be between the input and output when turning by hand? I am able to turn the input shaft about 1/4 turn before the output shaft starts to turn? This seems excessive to me but I do not know if this is an issue or it is completely normal. For all I know it may all tighten up when hydraulic pressure is applied. I bought a clean looking used pump from an individual who took it apart and resealed it. All of it looks super clean. What I am trying to understand is, before I paint this and put this into my truck, is this an indication of wear that needs to be fixed, or does it indicate an adjustment is needed, or is it completely normal? I see the slotted screw at the top to adjust for wear. Is this something to adjust when it's on a bench or when installed and pressurized? Thanks so much for any help with this.

Rob

 

[AgentOrange]

I don't remember my box having hardly any noticeable play either time I had it out. Doesn't sound quite right to me...

 

[Shipwreck]

A 1/4 turn without movement of the sector shaft is not right.
Question: Are you turning the input shaft with your fingers alone? If so, I doubt you have enough total preload in the steering box. The FSM describes a total preload of 6.5 - 9.6 in-lbs, which doesn't seem like much, but in the boxes I've rebuilt it was enough that I wasn't able to turn the shaft by hand, and had to fabricate an SST to use a small torque wrench.