I’ve replaced the idler arm and the steering is still sloppy. What should I look at next? Spring is coming and time to start working again in the garage

Steering gear adjustments.
Broken spring in drag link.

Best to follow in shop manual.

I would check all front steering /front axle parts - in addition to Chev Nuts suggestions tie rod ends and wheel bearing adjustment.

Make sure your check includes the suspension arm bushings.

Have sone one move the seeringwheel back and for rapidly while you watch the linkafe under the car. If the idler arm is not shimed corectly its ends will be moving up and downIf nothing is moving including the pit man arm the steering gears needs adjusting or wor out. I one of the ends ofthe drag link are not moving the pitman ar or idler arn the little coil sping in the link is broke.
Do theee tests with the weight of the car on the fot wheels.

might add just tunn the steering wheel bAck and forth in the play area,

Thanks I’ll try this.