help! loose steering column

[sdf]

Hello: I have a 1989 Cherokee pioneer (manual transmission), with the articulating steering column (adjustable angle). It has become very, very loose at the articulating point. How difficult (and expensive!) will this be to repair? I can rent a wheel puller for the steering wheel, but is this more likely something best done by a shop? I would rate my tool collection and personal mechanic abilities as only average, but I am willing to learn.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Sean

 

[90Xjay]

Re: RE: Re: RE: I shimmie

with the articulating steering column (adjustable angle)

I assume you are talking about a "tilt wheel", yeah alot of Jeeps have those.

Welcome to Jeepz.com!

My first reaction to fix your problem would be duct tape.... :lol: :lol:

Or you could go to Autozone, get the free use of a steering wheel puller with a deposit under their tool loan program, pull the wheel off, dig down in there a bit, screw up your horn switch when the little spring pops off and you can't find it, and then re-tighten the either 2 or 4 fine threaded fasteners (we call em' bolts) that have worked loose in you articulating steering thingy. It does not hurt to pull them all the way out, one at a time, and put on some light to medium thread lock compound (your wife's clear nail polish will work) and then re-install. I think from what you tell me, that you could go to a bookstore, buy a repair manual, like Haynes for your Jeep, get the above mentioned tool from A/Z and do it yourself. A shop will charge you about 1.5 hrs labor to do this repair, multiply that by what the hourly rate is. I used to get around $40 to do that about 8 years ago.

Good luck with it. :lol: :lol:

90

 

[sdf]

RE: portland. or........can you hear me

Thanks for the ideas....I'll try it this weekend

Sean

 

[irishsetter48]

SDF,
I tightened the steering column on my 1988 cherokee and I found it to be a little more involved. I had to remove the key lock, directional signal switch, and several other things before getting a good look at the 4 screws that hold the steering column tight. I would recommend having the manual nearby, or keeping a record of what came out from where. Someone on this website directed a reader to an excellent website for this repair on a different make of car with great photos. It was very helpful to me. Good luck.