There seems to be a good amount of play in my steering, 1980, which really only shows up on the freeway where the roadway has some ruts from tractor trailer rigs have deformed the roadway surface. I am not talking 1972 F150 farm road truck wandering.....just getting my tires pulled to the right ornleft on the ruts and having a delay in the steering wheel actually reacting....which results in the wheel getting yanked fairly hard in my hands. Luckily i know where thes spots are located on the roadways so I am prepared for them.....and avoid them when possible. What is the cause if this extra play in the steering....is the "rag joint" I have heard about?

Provided you know for sure that the ball joints, tie rod ends, drag link, pitman arm, idler arm, control arm bushings, are all good, I would then have someone sit in the car and slowly move the steering wheel back and forth while observing the movement of the steering shaft to the movement of the pitman arm. If there is excessive slop there you'll probably need a steering box. If your rag joint is original I'd replace it regardless. That rubber piece in there does deteriorate with time and exposure to engine heat. 

I second what Sarge said. He steered me() to the same shop.  Although pricey, they did an outstanding job.

The local Firestone guy that does my daily drivers under a lifetime program "talked" a good game at knowing Vettes so I let him at it.  It's road manners over to the Gathering last year in WI were better then it would have been otherwise.  It was only 23 years since my last alignment.