Stop in for a cup of coffee

Throwing a couple of thoughts out to get y’alls opinion,
1: found a melted plug wire, could that have been the smell I was getting? Can’t say I’ve ever smelled a plug wire burn?
2: excessive play in steering box cause the shake I’m experiencing?
Just throwing it out there.

I've had some melted plug wires, but usually didn't smell them burning...

try sniffing the wire where it's burnt to see if it smells like what you smelled....