Ok...i have a 2002 GMC 2500 HD, etc. etc. I've been fighting steering slop for several weeks. I have been through the front end...new inner and outer tie rods, new ball joints, new wheel bearings, new pitman arm, new idler arm, new steering gear. After all this everything was about the same. I then adjusted the steering gear which tightened the the steering but it's still not right. What else should i look into? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. The only other thing that is different is one of the metal hoses on leading to the steering gear. I broke it while changing the gear and replaced it with rubber. (it wasn't high pressure). Thanks,

Did you just replace the idler arm with an aftermarket arm or did you get the whole idler assembly including the upper piviot / brkt? lots of shops will just replace the idler arm without the upper peice(mostly because its a dealer part) and it will still allow the centerlink to flop and feel loose. Also an idler/pitman support kit will help prevent early wear and tighten steering as well. did you happen to install anything like that when you did all that front end work?

Have someone move the steering and see if the center link moves up and down when moving the steering. I had the same issue and it actually was the pitman arm moving up and down on the gear box. I couldn't tighten it down any further.

Have someone move the steering and see if the center link moves up and down when moving the steering. I had the same issue and it actually was the pitman arm moving up and down on the gear box. I couldn't tighten it down any further.
Was it a moog pitman arm?

I noticed the same movement with the arm and the gear. I verified the correct arm then put several flat washers between the arm and the nut to try and get it tighter. This is not a Moog arm, Orielly brand. I did however compare the Moog with this one and noticed no difference, other than the price tag! What did you do to correct this issue? Did this solve your problem? Thanks,