PST 16:1 Box excessive play
to followup, got the new box, installed it. much tighter than the other one. based on feel at the steering wheel this time, i never would've investigated further but since i was curious i did use my phone to take a video of the sector shaft again. there is a little movement still but i'm guessing at this point this must be normal and one of the reasons something like a sector shaft support from firm feel exists...
i'm gonna call this good and move on.