i have no power steering and it has quite a lot of play, ill hit a bump and it will turn back and forth until i straighten it out. any ideas how i can fix this problem?

 

Theirs an adjustment screw on top of the steering box. Tighten it up.

 

make sure to not have it too tight. it needs some sense
you need to have easy steering from full left to right.
when you drive around a corner it must go back to straight without you turning back the wheel etc ... There is nothing quicker to destroy your sttering box than overtightening. Most people use settings like snug and then 1 turn back and similar. I don't have exact values. I do it by feeling.
As well loose steering might be coming from bad wheel bearings, tie rods, ball joints etc etc etc ...

 

...or rag joint, steering column, worn drag link, etc. etc. etc. I have been chasing my steering play for a month. I have narrowed it down to my column. You may get a buddy to help move the steering wheel while you look for the slop.

 

its a nut right?

 

No, it is screw with a set nut. You loosen up both, then holding the set nut, you tighting the screw. You then tighten up the set nut while holding the screw in the adjustment position you want. Use the screw slot as a reference or you will just end up putting it back in the same position it was already in. I suggest you adjust using 1/4 turn increments. That way you will not over tighten it. It is not hard, but you will find yourself needing another hand.

 

Old guy that worked on mustang's for years told me to tighten it as tight as you can and then when you don't think it'll go any more stop, drive it around the block and try to turn it another 1/4 of a turn. Make sure your steering box is greased. This guy worked on them since they came out and never had any problems with the gears wearing out.