I really haven't investigated the source of the play. 3 days ago we got a foot of snow and it's been in the high 20's/low 30's since then. So the weather hasn't been in my favor to be crawling under the car. I will print up these great replies and use them as a trouble shooting guide. Lets all knock on the wood in our dashes that it's not a bad steering gear box.

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member