first   Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year everybody.
The instructions I have , for a 56 F100,   say to wind in the end plug till spring is fully compressed  then back off until the split pin will go in.
This puts the pin at the top edge of the plug.
So is the spring there to absorb shocks or is it there to provide a controlled amount of pressure on the ball?
It seems quite stiff like this so I wondered about backing out the plug till the split pin would just enter at the bottom of the slot in the plug.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions
stuey
UK

remove the draglinke and inspect the ball on pitman arm,they usually have a flat spot and you get a bind if adjuster to tight. the balls are avail but need to be welded in. if you can't find 1 i have a new 1 20.00 us frt is cheap clicc ct1940@shaw.ca

Thanks for the reply and thanks for the offer.  The balls on the pitman arm and the spindle arm are both new.  It's just that I can't get my head round why there is a spring in there and you compress it fully (coil bound)
and then back off a smidgen.!!??  The thread on the plug is quite fine so there will only be a few thou clearance.  Maybe I'll unscrew the plug another couple of turns and see how it feels.
Thanks for the help
stuey

I can't say as an authority, but seeing as you don't want any slack in the joint, I think the spring is there to compensate for wear. It would probably have to be adjusted again later in its service life. 

Thanks Gene. that makes sense. I was originally told the spring was to absorb road shocks.
don't skimp on the grease gun huh.
stuey