Steering woes
 

Ok, I have an '00 XJ. When I got it the steering felt like it was drifting. I have since replaced the three tie rod ends and most recently the drag link. I feel like there is now about 2" of play on either side of zero in the steering. If it's drifts to one side it seems like I have to go maybe 4" opposite to get any positive response from the steering. It's really starting to get annoying. I just want my steering to work! I have not had an alignment done as I can't see the play in the wheel being an alignment issue and I don't want to do that, change out another part, and have to pay to get it aligned again. Thought???

Slop in your steering gear? Have you checked the condition of the pitman arm?

Pitman arm looks ok. Not sure if this is normal, but when it's off if I crawl underneath and grab the steering shaft at the joint right above the steering box, I can twist it a little either way. I can tell the wheel inside is moving a smidge from the feel of it but of course no movement in the tires.

I adjusted the steering box and it doesn't seem to be that. It feels like the slop is between the box and the steering wheel itself.

Take it to an alignment shop that does free inspections

Have you tried going lock to lock ? turn all the way to one side (approx. 3.5 turns) and then check to see if the spindle is on the stop? turn all the way in other direction and see if other spindle is contacting stop? also, how did you adjust gearbox? how do you know if you adjusted enough? or too much?

I adjusted the gear box tighter a little at a time and then felt like it was too tight but still had loose steering so I adjusted it back

Just a thought, it could be the ujoint in the steering column.

I crawled under and checked it while my boy turned the wheel. I noticed the tie Rod end at the pitman arm seemed a little loose. It's pretty new but I had to take it off when I replaced the drag link so I'm wondering if maybe I damaged it ??? Here is a video:

I'm nobody but that tie rod is no good to me. Just replaced steering gear in our 99 over the weekend, One Finger steering and no drift... Much better! 130$ at autozone

hopefully that's all it is. I checked the alignment DIY style and it appears to be ok. Only 1/16" difference front to back.

We had good alignment also, but bad drift. I'm glad I changed the box and used a new tie rod, It was a huge improvement!
It was worth the work....I think

What steering box did you go with?