[RCLivingston]

Well, I have found the issue!
The upper end of the rod (drag link?) (part 16 on the diagram of the steering system kindly provided by Ironman) that connects the arm on the steering box (part no. 5) to the left front wheel spindle, had a castle nut on it and a cotter pin. Both the cotter pin and castle nut have gone on permanent vacation. Thusly, that upper rod end (part 15 on the diagram of the steering system) decided it no longer wished to be attached to the the steering box arm (part number 5). For now, the rod end (part 15) has been put back in its hole but is presently nutless.
When I get my lift (next week) I'll be able to figure out whether the threads are still intact. I'm over 60 and getting this stuff closer to waist level will make things a whole bunch more fun to fix!

If the threads are good, All I need do is obtain the appropriately sized/threaded castle nut and pin, and all will be well! If the threads on part 15 are messed up then i'l need to remove the rod and replace part 15 with a new one.
By the way, does anyone know offhand the size and thread type of the castle nut to fasten part 15 to part 5?