Models With Manual Transmission
Fig. 1 Non-tilt steering column & components. Manual transmission:
Fig. 2 Steering column support fixture:
DISASSEMBLY
Steering column removal is not necessary if only the lock plate cover, lock plate, steering shaft snap ring, canceling cam, turn signal switch, upper bearing preload spring or lock cylinder are to be serviced. If steering column necessitates removal, remove steering column to instrument panel mounting bracket and install support fixture J-23074 onto steering column.
1. Place front wheels in straight ahead position.
2. Disconnect battery ground cable.
3. Remove steering wheel.
4. Remove lock plate cover.
5. On 1984 - 87 Cherokee and Wagoneer, 1986 - 87 Commanche and 1987 Wrangler models, proceed as follows:
a. Using compressor tool J-23653-A or equivalent, compress lock plate and remove steering shaft snap ring.
b. Remove lock plate, canceling cam, upper bearing preload spring and thrust washer from steering shaft.
6. On 1980 - 83 CJ, Scrambler, Cherokee, Wagoneer and 1984 - 87 Grand Wagoneer models, proceed as follows to remove lockplate and steering shaft snap ring:
a. Inspect and identify steering shaft nut thread type. Metric shafts have an identifying groove in the steering wheel locating splines. Standard type shafts do not have this groove.
b. If steering shaft has the standard thread type, use tool J-23653 or equivalent to compress lock plate and remove steering shaft snap ring.
c. If steering shaft has metric threads, replace compressor tool standard forcing screw with metric forcing screw J-23653-4 before installing compressor tool onto steering shaft. The lock plate is under spring tension. Do not attempt to remove steering shaft snap ring without using the specified compressor tool.
d. Remove lock plate, canceling cam, upper bearing preload spring and thrust washer from steering shaft.
7. Remove hazard warning switch knob.
8. On models without cruise control, remove turn signal lever attaching screws, then the lever.
9. On models with cruise control, disconnect electrical connector from switch.
10. Remove turn signal switch from lower portion of steering column.
11. Remove wiper switch harness and any additional harnesses from steering column.
12. Turn ignition lock cylinder to Off-Lock position.
13. Using a suitable screwdriver, compress lock cylinder retaining tab and remove lock cylinder from steering column.
14. Remove ignition switch and dimmer switch, if equipped from lower end of steering column.
15. Remove housing and shroud-to-steering column jacket attaching bolts, then the housing and shroud.
16. Disconnect remote rod from lock rack.
17. Remove shroud to housing attaching bolts, then the shroud.
18. Remove wave washer from key release lever pivot and spring.
19. Remove lock rack and lock bolt assembly.
20. Remove rack preload spring and lock sector.
21. Remove steering column from vehicle.
22. Remove steering shaft, spring clip from lower bearing retainer, bearing and adapter.
ASSEMBLY
Use only correct screws, bolts and nuts when servicing the steering column. Do not use any substitute fasteners. Tighten all fasteners to specification to maintain the energy absorbing (compression) action of the steering column.
1. Coat all friction and bearing surfaces with suitable grease.
2. Install lock sector onto sector shaft.
3. Install rack preload spring. Bowed side of spring must contact lock rack.
4. Install lock bolt and lock rack assembly into housing.
5. Install key-release lever return spring over post in housing. Insert release lever finger into lock rack slot and position lever hole over threaded portion in housing post.
6. Raise key-release lever slightly, and install release lever spring end between lever and housing boss.
7. Coat wave washer with a suitable grease, then install washer onto release lever.
8. Position shroud onto housing. Torque attaching bolts to 18 inch lbs.
9. Install remote rod onto lock rack.
10. Install shroud and housing assembly onto steering column. Torque attaching bolts to 60 inch lbs.
11. Install lock cylinder into lock cylinder sleeve. Insert key into lock, hold cylinder sleeve and rotate key clockwise until key stops.
12. Install lock cylinder assembly into housing bore with cylinder tab aligned with keyway in housing.
13. Install ignition switch as follows:
a. Position switch onto column jacket.
b. Move switch slider to extreme left (Accessory) position.
c. Move switch slider 2 positions to the right from Accessory position to Off-Unlock position.
d. Position switch onto column. Torque attaching bolts to 35 inch lbs.
14. Install lower bearing adapter, retainer and snap ring into lower portion of steering column.
15. Install steering shaft through lower end of column and into upper bearing in housing.
16. Install turn signal switch onto steering column. Connect electrical connector onto switch. Install windshield wiper switch onto steering column, if equipped. Connect electrical connector onto switch.
17. On vehicles without cruise control, install turn signal lever. Torque lever attaching screws to 35 inch lbs. On vehicles with cruise control, install lever and switch assembly. Torque switch attaching screws to 35 inch lb.
18. Install thrust washer, upper bearing preload spring and canceling cam onto steering shaft.
19. Place turn signal switch into neutral position and install hazard-warning switch knob.
20. Position lock plate onto steering shaft.
21. Install steering shaft snap ring onto sleeve of compressor tool and position tool onto steering shaft.
22. Compress lock plate and install snap ring into steering shaft groove.
23. Remove compressor tool. Ensure snap ring is completely seated before removing compressor tool.
24. Install lock plate cover.
25. Remove support fixture tool J-23074 from steering column.
26. Install column mounting bracket. Torque bracket attaching bolts to 20 ft. lbs. on all except 1984 - 87 Cherokee and Wagoneer, 1986 - 87 Commanche and 1987 Wrangler models. Torque bracket attaching bolts to 22 ft. lbs. on 1984 - 87 Cherokee, Wagoneer and Commanche models or 21 ft. lbs. on 1987 Wrangler.
27. Install steering wheel. Torque nut to 30 ft. lbs.
28. Install column bezel.
29. Install and torque column bracket-to-instrument panel bolts to 20 ft. lbs.
30. Torque toe plate bolts to 10 ft. lbs. on all except 1984 - 87 Cherokee, Wagoneer and 1986 - 87 Commanche. Torque toe plate bolts to 6 ft. lbs. on 1984 - 87 Cherokee, Wagoneer and 1986 - 87 Commanche models.