I have a 99 XJ and have am looking at tightening up the the steering box, it is a bit unusual though because the lock nut is a left hand thread (clockwise to loosen), all the youtube videos i have watched the lock nut is a right hand thread.
Does this mean i will also need to go anti-clockwise with the allen to tighten it up, or will this still be a clockwise to tighten?

here's a pic, shows the box number, if that hepls

 

Personally, I have never EVER come across one with backwards threads.

What you're trying to do is move that center bolt DOWN to tighten it up, so since you claim you have left hand threads, you'd turn that center bolt left also.


FYI your radiator looks about as crusty as mine did right before it blew....might want to budget a replacement soon.

 

That's not something to mess with lightly. And X2, even if it seems so, likely it does not have left hand threads. Maybe we all will learn something oddly new, but I doubt it.

Did you have someone work the steering back and forth, and check all of the other linkage? (from the Pittman arm off the box, to the steering knuckles). Normally that is where play comes from.

(I needed to drill and tap my front exhaust stud)

 

Yes...do that first.
Adjusting the box is the last step, not the first. The proper procedure is to pull it and adjust it with an in/lb torque wrench in a vise. The adjustment is to set a certain increase in drag when the steering is turned through the center position. If you get it even slightly too tight the steering won't stay on center, might bind on center and will wear quickly.

 

Believe me it is definitely a left hand thread, I am in the UK so maybe different steering boxes were fitted here than in the US .
This is pretty much my last resort, I have replaced tie rod ends, track bar and steering damper, also had someone on the steering wheel and can't see any obvious play in any other components.
Thanks for the input ... may take the box to a shop

 

If it's a left hand thread, it likely wasn't built by Saginaw steering.

 

The OP was correct. My XJ 1997 [ 1996 Build US] sold n Australia has a LH thread. Another parts Jeep has a RH thread etc

 

I had a similar issue and a new pitman arm took the slop out of the steering.