I have a 2003 260 Legend with 496HO and noticed a bit of free play just rotating it left and right just a bit. Have noticed on occasions it will pull left not all the time but sometimes and when it does it will pull a little then other times it will pull quite noticeably. Would this be a Gimbal bearing issue? Thanks for any feed back.

Is there any side to side play at the drive? The drive should be tight with virtually no play side to side.

Sounds like a worn gimbal ring and upper swivel pin.

+1 on that.

you might have some side to side play with engine off,run it on the hose and check it,with the engine running the p/s pump built pressure In the rack and takes some of the side to side play away,if still loose then check the torque on the u bolt nuts,should be 53lbs