Jeep Repair: loose steering, Loose, steering

Question
When I turn the wheel, ther is a small amount of "play".
Under the hood and grabbing the steering shaft and twisting, I can see the "play".  The jeep is an "87 with VERY high miles.  Is the entire power steering knuckle shot?  Everything else susppension-wise is very tight.

Answer
Hey Tom,

If you've got good suspension components I would suspect your steering box. Maybe time for an adjustment, rebuild or replacement?  If I'm feeling some play I don't like, I would start from the outer most components ruling them in, or out on my way into the steering box and column. Inspect the pitman arm, drag link and I would take a quick peek at the mounting area where the steering box attaches to the frame for cracks and loose fasteners too. (it's a weak spot).

Hope this helps,

Kenji