Six-Pack Smile

i think i need a new steering box, because i have a clunk in my steering when i turn the wheel, and i can even feel it, but nothing in the tie rods or drag link is lose. i popped the hood and the rod from the steering wheel to the box, i turned it with my hand and it had mucho play and it clunked from left to right. so do i need a new steering box? how long will it last? i need to get through till saturday. any help would be appreciated.

Six-Pack Smile

anyone?

caged

i haven't experienced a bad steering box yet, but by the sounds of it, you're on to it.
stock xj boxes are adjustable to a certain extent, but not sure if yours has gone beyond the adjustment stages.

a popular swap is a 98-99 dodge dakota or durango steering box from a draglink style setup, not the rack and pinion style trucks.
there are many write ups on this swap around the net. google will net you enough reading material to know what to do and look for.

as for driving it till saturday, use your own judgment. if it appears to be getting worse, maybe it's time to stop driving it till it's fixed. the last thing you want is to cause a fatal accident.
or you could drop by a steering shop for an experienced mechanical check.