I have a 97 f150 and im trying to figure out if i need to replace my gear box it makes a lot of whinning noises when turning and i have about 2 inch of play in steering wheel is it hard to replace

 

2 inches of play? If you don't know what you are looking at, take it to a front end shop and get it inspected for worn or loose components.

The whining can generally be fixed with a power steering flush. Use only Mercon V ATF in the power steering, NOT power steering fluid.

 

Ok thank u i talked to my uncle he said steering pump bc of the noise but before i star replacing stuff im going to take it to a shop like u said

 

A noisy pump can frequently be fixed with a fluid flush, but with 2 inches of play there's more wrong than just a noisy pump.