TJP,

The box play feels good when the sector shaft is centered. If I turned the wheel lock to lock, it was not perfectly even in both directions but it was pretty close. I sort of dismissed that since the problem has grown worse since the last alignment and the wheel centering should not have changed. Your point is well taken though. Is it possible that the box play has increased off-center over time? Does that imply the gears are wearing as some higher rate?

I am thinking I will take the cover off the box and look inside, but I am not sure what to look for outside of gross issues. How is the gear wear assessed?

Thanks