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Loose steering column. Fix or replace ?
I have a 1989 Grand Wagoneer with a tilt steering column with loose/excessive play. What would you choose?. Tear down the steering column and tighten/repair loose components or, replace steering column with a used replacement part.
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'89 GW, 360/727/208 ,WT 44/20,Trac-Lok,TFI,CS144, Warn XD9000i, Rusty's 4"+1" BL, 33x12.50 on 15x8 . -
I would fix it.. not very hard to fix and definatly much easier than putting in a new column.1989 G. Wag
6" SOA with 5.5" blocks out back(gotta get rid of these)
33x12.50x15 BFG AT's
Edelbrock Performer intake manifold
600 CFM Holley carb
Welded spiders out back
Gently massaged fenders... -
My 88 got lose once and it turned out there were loose bolts inside the column. Worth digging in to.Flint
Ran when parked.
http://jubileejeeps.org/quadratrac
88 GW, 401/727/208, 5" lift, D44s/4.10s/locked up, 35s with a few Evil Twin & TT's Fabworks mods
76 401 Wag, 77 401 Wag, 77 401 J20
http://eviltwinfab.com http://www.ttsfabworks.comComment
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The time to fix it is much quicker than the time to take one out and replace it with another. I have personal experiece with that. Beside, the new one may not match color wise.
The big problem is that there are 4 "reverse-torx" type bolts that hold the lower portion of the steering shaft in place. These become loose and let it flop around which effects everything else. Tear into the column and put locktite on the bolts, shouldn't have a problem again. It took me roughly 6 hours but I forgot a piece when putting it back together.
Oh, by the way, you will need some specialized tools: 1) wheel puller, 2) lockplate compressor, and 3) pivot pin puller.1974 J10 (401, Th400, Q-Trac, D44s, 28" tires)
Mrs Tickity - 1988 GW (360, 727, 229, D44s, 32" tires)Comment
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Fix it - much easier. Make a diagram or take pictures though as you take it a part for a reassembly reference. Don't ask.
You will need a steering wheel puller for sure, and I can't remember anything else special. Took me about 4 hours altogether, but it's been rock solid ever since.Last edited by turtlejoe; 10-11-2009, 06:37 AM.Kerry - Raised by Jeep"Got Altitude?"
"Trigger"
'78 Cherokee Chief WT 33X12.50 BFG A/T's, 15X8 Rockcrawlers, 4" BDS lift, TFI, NOS QT, TH400
"Sherman"
1993 4.0L Grand Cherokee, 44HD rear, 4:10's
"Roxie"
2004 Rubicon
"Moose"
2000 Ford Expedition XLT with 4.6L
Comment
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And a set of picks is helpful.Originally posted by Thomas792
I replaced my column once because I happened to have another that was nice & tight. Within a couple of years it was as floppy as the original.
S.J."Carpe Mañana".
'83 Wagoneer
360, .030-over, K8600 cam, Crane springs, ported heads, Edelbrock Performer, G.M. TBI, TFI, 3" exhaust,
T-18a/208, D44/AMC 20 w/ limited slip in both, 3.73s, 33s, BDS 4" springs, Rancho 9000 shocks, etc., etc.Comment
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x2 Fix it right and it will last longer than your Wagon. I went through the same thing. I took it to a guy and it only cost around 65.00 and he also used Loctite to keep it from happening again. Now it feels real solid.Originally posted by 89Woody91 Grand Wagoneer "Final Edition"
DeWooded
6 inch Hellcreek lift.
Rhino Grill
BFGoodrich MT T/A KM2 33X10.5. R15
Offenhauser Dual Port 360 Intake
Holley 600cfm
If are not living on the Edge you are taking up to much room.
##########
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http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3172261Comment
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You'll find this very helpful:
Excellent write-up. It's about baby Jeeps but the columns are the same.Jim C
'67 J3000 Dually
'86 J20
'79 CJ5(in pieces)
'86 CJ7 Doesn't need anything(so why do I have it?)
Correction- it just needed a water pump!Comment
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I think you already have your answer, but the Tech Support guy in me just won't die. What do you mean by excessive play? The column moves, or play in the steering, or other? I assume you mean play in the tilt mechanism, which is common, as mentioned earlier. Play in the steering is very rarely removed by attempting a repair to the column.Mark B. Jones
Originally posted by GrandWag&Prix
'79 Cherokee Chief "Junaluska"Comment
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Thanks for the responses guys. It appears the consensus is to tear into it and fix it. So I will put that on the project list.
By 'excessive play' I just meant the sloppy column mechanism . It steers and drive just fine.'89 GW, 360/727/208 ,WT 44/20,Trac-Lok,TFI,CS144, Warn XD9000i, Rusty's 4"+1" BL, 33x12.50 on 15x8 .Comment
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I finally had the time to tackle this project today.
It wasnt as bad as I thought it was going to be. I did have to do it almost twice because I screwed up the key ignition lever thingy, oh well, live and learn.
Thanks to all here and the valuable info from this site !!!
'89 GW, 360/727/208 ,WT 44/20,Trac-Lok,TFI,CS144, Warn XD9000i, Rusty's 4"+1" BL, 33x12.50 on 15x8 .Comment
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Thanks again to this website, my 89 and I are back on the road.
Thumbs up to: Jim C "Jpcoutts" for pointing to the article- with pictures!
I didn't realize the snap-ring was holding on the steering lock 'disk', but after that it was not bad.
NOTE: on late model SJ's like my 89, you can tighten two of the three bolts while the tilt is still on the columm- which is all mine needed. Also, there is a screw that holds the gear select indicator light bulb at 1'o clock on the OUTSIDE of the tilt housing. Easy to miss unless you know about it. (which I didn't:- )
Many thanks!!
Midwest Wagoneer1988 GW
AMC 401, Edelbrock Headers and Intake, (Ristow)Holley Carb, HEI, Magnaflow,
TF727/A518 Overdrive (Ristow Built), NP229, D 44's 3.31,
Hydroboost, BJs Aluminum Radiator
H4 headlight conversion
bOObies !!Comment
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no doubt
Column repair with Dale rocks. Glad tyou did it the easy wayLast edited by serehill; 09-23-2012, 01:14 PM.
80 Cherokee
360 ci 727 with
Comp cams 270 h
NP208
Edlebrock performer intake
Holley 4180
Msd total multi spark.
4" rusty's springs
Member, FSJ Prissy Restoration Association
If you can't make it better why waste your time. No use repeating the orignal mistakes. I'm to old to push it that's why.Comment
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no one needed the bearings and repair sets to fix the problem?Markus!
Member, FSJ Prissy Restoration Association
Note: Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. - Mike Tyson
Cherokee Chief Laredo, 360 cui, selec trac, black, 12/1982
Picture story:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1019823...eat=directlinkComment
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When the original column in my '79 Honcho broke I was unable to find new bearings. The races were plastic, and very dry and brittle. This was back in the 90s. I eventually swapped columns out (2 or 3 times now) and the junkyard replacements dont last very longOriginally posted by cma1980 Jeep J-20
1979 Jeep J-10 Honcho
1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
1975 Jeep Wagoneer- The Green Bastard, from Parts
Unknown
1968 Plymouth Satellite
1978 Camaro- back in action
1980 'Vette. Chevette. Please someone buy thisComment
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