TaurenTom

Alrighty, so to start this off, you can move the steering wheel roughly 1 to 1-1/2 inches off center sometimes before any motion happens at the wheels. Now, this is not a constant thing, and position of the steering wheel does not affect whether this is repeatable or vary the intensity of the looseness. The ball joints, wheel bearings, track bar, drag link and tie rod ends have all been replaced within the last six months with no issues. Aside from one upper driver's side control arm bushing being replaced, that is the extent of what has been done so far.

Before suggesting control arm replacements/adjustable upgrades, the input shaft of the steering box can be moved before receiving motion from the output shaft. by the amount described above. There is some side to side while driving that imitates bump steer, but there are no obvious signs of linkage or ball joint failure. The lash adjustment on the steering box is "stuck" for lack of a better description, the locknut is jammed, so I cannot adjust it at present.
Not the symptom I'm used to for steering box failure, but looking for second opinions before I drop for a new box or do an upgrade.

Vehicle Specs for reference
99 XJ, 4.0 Auto
3" zone off road lift
Rough Country Solid tie rod tube (new tie rod ends, new ball joints, new wheel bearings)
Rough Country Adjustable Track Bar
Stock Drag Link setup
Stock Control Arms (1 upper bushing replaced, dr side)
Stock Steering Box (original to vehicle)

awg

there should be no play between input & output shafts on a steering box, so its either try and get the adjuster loose, or more likely, another box

TaurenTom

That was my assumption. Likely doing a new box given since I'm just shy of tossing a breaker bar on this lock nut and bench setting it.