Early 1948 8N too much play in steering

when you say pitman arms are you talking about the ones up on the front spindles? ( the ones at the steering box are sector arms )

If you are referring to the front ones, then each side has a draglink and a tie rod to go thru before the arm. thus my comment on slack multiplying.

the reason it is easier when jacked up is because some of that slack might still have resistance. IE.. the ball ends in the tie rod and draglinks still have some internal resistance, and under no load they don't take up all their slack before moving. with the tire planted in the ground, they take up all their slack to move.

now. if you are instead refering to the sector arms ont he steering box, then you failed to adequately address the wear uissues of the sector gears to the ballnut, bushings, or backlash.

and yes.. if you have 10-12" of steer wheel movement before a shaft moves, you have un-adressed wear in that box.

specific wear can be determined by testing.

steer wheel turning before double sector moves can be ballnut wear, internal or teeth, and or forward gear tooth wear: almost no way to fix this without replacement parts.

double gear moves before single gear:

this could be a backlash issue and bushings, or this could be a gear tooth wear on rear gear face of double, or on face of single.

if gear wear that you can't backlash out.. repalce parts.

( or replace box )

the draglinks that hook to the sector arms could be worn. the front tie rod ends could be worn, front hubs and or wheel bearings could be worn.