5200 power assist steering

My back went out the other day so I get to lay around the house and think about all the things that are not being done. I cracked the Ford manual to research the steering gear problems. The tractor went to a local dealer (20 years ago) to get the steering fixed. My uncle took the tractor back a couple of times trying to get them to fix the steering "right". Don't know the problem then but current issues are:

1 if the steering wheel gets pulled up it will turn by itself all the way to its stops, by pushing down on the wheel the power assist seems to go back to neutral and wheel movement stops. This happens if tractor is moving or not. When moving a good bump can sent you off to the right

2 massive hydraulic leak, could be from a hose, fitting, or steering gear itself. Can't have it down till I plant Hubam and rye so I keep pouring more oil in

3 tractor does have tilt steering, changing the steering position seems to increase problem 1

4 there is a lot of play in the steering wheel shaft both up and down and side to side

Dad's mechanic said an after market steering gear was the best option at around $1700 with 1year warranty. I really need some experienced opinions here. Still looking for part number of entire steering gear

there is one shaft that sits on top of the lower shaft and clamps down. Its been a couple of years since I had one apart, but.. its a common problem for the slippage. If caught early, you simply tighten it up.. if caught late the spines are very fine and worn off.

Again, its been a while since I have been in one of those.. One I fixed by tightening. the other I had to get the upper shaft from a salvage yard to fix. One may have been a 7200 but who can remember at my age.

oh yeah, its where the shaft connects to the steering motor... Strange how memory comes back.