checked both my friends silverado rack and pinion and both of theirs are solid. checked mine again and it has about 3/8 of an inch travel . . ordered the bushings today and try to put them in tomorrow. also ordered a leaf spring bushing kit.

 

changed the rack bushings and replaced the shock. bushings werent as bad to change as i thought. made a little puller tool and it worked good.took it for a test drive and it rode alot better!!! i'll take it for alignment next week . when the leaf spring bushings come in i'll change them and it should ride like a cadilac

 

Glad you finally found what the problem is - hopefully!