Tilt Steering Wobble

My Scrambler has a tilt column that has a bunch of movement in it when it is supposedly "locked" into position. I believe that it is the original column.

I get about an inch to an inch and a half of movement from center in every direction. It is the worst up and down. All the movement is coming from the tilt section out towards the steering wheel. Is there any way to tighten this up? It is getting to be real annoying real fast.

Bump.

Is there any way to rebuild the tilt steering or am I going to need to buy a new column?

I started fooling around with it this weekend but I didn't get very far. I didn't have a pully puller to get the steering wheel mounting plate off the shaft spline.

I have heard that Cherokee shafts fit into the 82's...is this correct?

Way down deep in the column, there are four screws that work loose over time. Tighten these up again with a little bit of lock tite and you should be good to go. There are numerous threads on rebuilding the tilt column for reference. Not a bad job, just takes a couple of hours the first time.

However, the piece the screws go into will sometimes crack if the wheel has been pulled on real hard. If that is the case, it would be easier/cheaper to replace the column than the piece. Though it would be doable if you wanted to keep the stock column.

Otherwise, just about any GM column from 70s/80s vehicle would work.

Here you go....

http://www.bc4x4.com/tech/2009/jeep-steering/

I figured someone else would throw this out there. But I dug it up from my memory and will pass it on to you. The column rebuild process is not that hard. Also from time to time you need to replace the lower bearing that is on the bottom of the column in the engine bay area above where it joins the steering shaft.

But it sounds like those 4 screws on the tilt mechanism have loosened up on you.

Just take column down to that point, remove and apply red lock tight and re-install. Pretty easy.

While you are in there. Replace the Turn Signal plastic pieces. They will be breaking sooner or later, and good to do it now while it is apart. They are about $15 from the HELP section of the parts store.


Carl

Alright! That is what I was looking for.

Looks like I need to get a pulley/steering wheel puller and a method to remove the pivot pins and I am in business.

thanks!

Didn't have time early to dig up a repair link earlier. But here is one and it shows a simple method for pulling the pivot pins.

rebuild article

You can get the steering wheel puller from AutoZone or the like with the free tool rent convenience.

Here is the original link to the page I had been thinking of.

http://www.epiccomputer.com/dale/jeepjunk/tilt/tilt.html


Carl

Thanks for the link Carl.

I started working on the column the other night and things have gone pretty good. I managed to get one of the pivot pins out (on the left side of the column) but the one on the right is giving me some headaches. I am going to have to try the socket trick to ease out the pin.

Another problem that I have had is I found parts of the yellow plastic bearing holder (see the attached pic) in the column not where they were supposed to be. When I take out the column I am afraid that all the bearings are going to pop out and I won't be able to get them back in without the plastic carrier.

So am I totally screwed with this? Can I get the bearings and carrier at the local auto parts store?

Are you sure that it is the bearing ball retainer and not the plastic from the turn signal?

But you should be able to get a replacement bearing. Not sure that you can find it in the Help section, you might have to order it.

Look online. Advance and Autozone let you search for a lot of things and order them for pick up at the store. If that fails then try Quadratech. They usually have things like that.

That little trick with the socket for the pins works great.


Carl

Yeah, the plastic bearing holder was shot on the rear bearing. I went to all sorts of parts places yesterday looking for it. Most of the guys just stared at me in disbelief. The Autozone guy sent me to Napa and the Napa guy sent me to the Dodge/Jeep dealer. I talked with the Dodge/Jeep parts guy and had to convince him of where the part came from.

They don't sell the bearing holder/bearing set separately so I had to order an assembly to get the parts. Needless to say, I have the upper steering shaft housing on order and should get it today. It cost $74.00 but I can completely rebuild the top end of the steering column now.

This is still better than over $300 for a new tilt steering column.

Good to hear that you got it solved.

Surprised that Quadra tech or 4wd parts did not have it however.


Carl

CBRogers said:

Good to hear that you got it solved.

Surprised that Quadra tech or 4wd parts did not have it however.


Carl

Click to expand...

No one sells those bearings because they want you to buy a new steering column.

I did pick the "kit" up on Saturday. It consisted of the two bearings I needed (with an added metal race/bearing retainer around them), top bearing retainer, the ignition rack, black plastic ignition cog, and steering wheel lock spring. Not much for $74.00 but it works.

So I get all the right parts finally and go to putting everything back together. I get everything buttoned up except the steering wheel at which point I test the ignition just to see if every thing is in working order. The key turn and nothing happens. I have managed to screw something up. So I have to tear everything back down which seems to take twice as long as it did the first time.

I managed to not get the back of the ignition rack around a little pin that accuates the starter. Well, I fool with everything and get the rack around the pin (complete pain my ***!) I fool around with all of the little bearings (even bigger pain in my ***!) and finally get everything buttoned up to a point where I can test the ignition again. Well instead of the key just spinning, this time nothing moves. So now I have to tear everything down AGAIN

Did I mention that I live in South Carolina where it has been 100 + degrees and 85-100% humidity?

Ok...I am done venting. I am going to tear everything down again today or tomorrow. Third times the charm right?

It isn't hot here in Charleston. We passed that point about three weeks ago. Now it is scorching.

Look at it this way, you will be able to call yourself an expert.

kohldad said:

It isn't hot here in Charleston. We passed that point about three weeks ago. Now it is scorching.

Look at it this way, you will be able to call yourself an expert.

Click to expand...

I can in fact

Third (actually fourth) time was the charm. I got everything put back together with the steering column, ignition is in and working, and the wobble is gone!

In fact, the entire steering column is better than ever. I cleaned up everything I could as I went along in the rebuild and greased the hell out of everything that needed it. I even managed to get the ignition to work out better than it did before.

If anyone needs any help on tips for rebuilding your tilt steering column just let me know!