Adjusting manual steering box.

I did have the box installed for about 200 miles before I did the rest of the
front end. Thats kind of why I think it's the box as it was tight even with
a very worn out front end. The box is filled with grease.....not oil but thats another point.

All the new parts are greased up and ready to go. It's just too tight. The guy
that aligned my front also confirmed it's way too tight.

What do you think? Preload or mesh setting?