[Richard]

I had to wait four days for the bearing I wanted to get here. It was like a kid waiting for Christmas.

I now have 8 mm or 5/16 of play before I can detect movement in the pitman arm. The difference is very noticeable to me. I won't get to drive it before we leave on Thursday, so I have to wait two more days for the on the road evaluation.

Here is a pic of the original size bearing and the one I installed.
   

I can't really say what had the most effect but in my mind in order of impact was the loose clamp on the u joint to steering shaft, worn out steering column bearing, and then the u joints themselves. 

All of this applies to the generic GM steering column that Newell used until the Smart Wheels came along. 

If you have the GM column it is very easy to check to see if you have this problem. Remove the skirt around the steering column by removing the two screws on either side right at the top of the skirt. You can now see the ujoint at the floor level. Put one hand on the ujoint and turn the steering wheel back and forth with the other. If the ujoint wobbles, then further investigation is called for. The joint should be solid as a rock with NO wiggle.