Loose Steering Wheel Fix

[Comanche County]

For a few years my steering wheel and column was getting continually loose as if the wheel was going to completely fall off.

 

I had over an inch plus of 360* travel in wheel. Time to finally fix it.

 

Here's a video of how bad it was: http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream

 

There's lots of info out there for this fix, here's some other links that may help:

http://comancheclub....__lock cylinder

http://www.chevyasyl...mn/tiltcol.html --- This is what I did! One of these days I'll tear back into it and get the top two bolts tightened.

http://bc4x4.com/tec.../jeep-steering/ - he made his own pivot pin puller,,,I tried this but it didn't work for me.

http://www.epiccompu.../tilt/tilt.html

http://jerickweb.50w...ering_wheel.htm

 

Anyway, if your steering wheel is flopping all over creation, then here's what you'll need to get started...mine is rock solid now! :thumbsup:

1. Steering Wheel Puller
    
   
2. Lock Plate Removal Tool
    
   
3. Etorx bit - size E8
    
   
4. misc smaller regular torx bits
    
   
5. misc sockets
    
   
6. #1 and #2 phillips
    
   
7. Patience
   

I had plenty of travel in mine...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HOrnbrod]

That's a super writeup Jay. :cheers: There's not much I hate worse than going down, deep, and dirty into the steering column. This will make it a lot less frustrating.

[sinkrun]

Great write up I have been putting this off for a couple years I must take this on before spring.

[Comanche County]

Thanks guys. I had been putting this off for a long time but its much easier than I thought it would be. I'd replaced the lock cylinder years before but was too scared to go further. Lately the wheel was so shaky I thought it was going to break off and I was foolishly looking for a replacement column but couldn't find one with tilt. But that would have been more work anyway.

 

Now, I think I could honestly do this again in less than an hour. Its too easy. A cordless screwdriver helps a lot.

[rocks91mj]

 

 

hey thats too cool now I know what the wierd parts in the glovebox go to. But I think the guy who had my truck before me lost a few parts, so before I can get mine fixed I need to find replacment parts for whats not there.

[rocks91mj]

Great info been looking for awhile to find this . Anybody have a idea where I could find a few parts , plastic cover in the photo ,hornswitch, I have the lockplate was in the glovebox. Now I know why my horn won't work no hornswitch in the column.

[Comanche County]

You ought to be able to find those common parts in any Pre-95 XJ or MJ, or any similar year GM car, The Saginaw column was used in millions of cars. AMC borrowed it from GM and Chrysler continued it until 95'. There's really no shortage of these in the yards, but I have to admit, it seems like they're thinning out lately.

 

They're even in Chevy trucks...check this video out...This column is a little different but the same four bolts that hold it tight are the same.

 

He's got the pivot pin puller needed to pull the pivot pins to get to the upper two bolts, his is older but not that much different.

 

I didn't tighten the upper two, but my column is still as tight as it can be.

 

BioTex recently uploaded the parts manual. The breakdown of all the parts for the tilt column is on page 543. I could've referenced the correct name of all the parts but I was too lazy to look them up and label everything. :yes:

[AMCJeepMJ]

Nice write up.

 

This would have been handy prior to my replacement of my entire column with a freshly rebuilt one the weekend before Christmas to remedy wobbly tilt. Oh well.

 

Oh, and for those of you who don't know, those turn signal stalks pull straight out for removal. Just line up the wipers to the 'off' setting and give it a firm tug straight out.

[foreman1063]

Very nice write up! Just FYI, I made a little slide hammer to remove the pivot pins. Worked like a charm and cost $0.

[hillbilly51@aol.com]

Man....that makes my stomach hurt all over again.

I first tightened my column about 5 years ago, and like you, I only tightened 2 bolts.

Last year, I had to tighten it again, and this time, I went all the way in and tightened all 4 bolts, complete with locktite. The most aggravating part was the wiring harness and having to deal with it.

I don't want to do that job again.

I still don't have my horn re-connected.

 

steve

[stoney88mj]

ugh so i have the steering wheel wobble, i was hoping it was and easy fix, this doesn't look like much fun........ 

[KYMJ]

It aint fun, I've done it twice. That's the best writeup I've seen. I was able to find the pivot pin tool in stock at a local parts store(not a chain store), one that kept a good supply of tools. Good luck.

[AdroitKirby]

Oh wow, finally ran into a post explaining what causes that slop. Thank you!