Jeep Cherokee (XJ): Steering column

Description and operation

STEERING COLUMN

DESCRIPTION

The standard non-tilt and tilt steering column has been designed to be serviced as an assembly. The key cylinder, switches, clock spring, trim shrouds and steering wheel are serviced separately. On the nontilt column the upper mounting bracket is also serviced separately.

The column is mounted to the column support bracket studs and secured by four nuts. The column is connected to the steering gear by a one piece collapsible shaft with a coupler at each end. The couplers secure the shaft to the steering column and steering gear.

SERVICE PRECAUTIONS

Safety goggles should be worn at all times when working on steering columns.

To service the steering wheel, switches or airbag, refer to Group 8M and follow all WARNINGS and CAUTIONS.

WARNING: THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE, COMPLEX ELECTRO-MECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE, REMOVE OR INSTALL THE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS YOU MUST FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE.

FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY. THE FASTENERS, SCREWS, AND BOLTS, ORIGINALLY USED FOR THE AIRBAG COMPONENTS, HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER BE REPLACED WITH ANY SUBSTITUTES. ANYTIME A NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE WITH THE CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED IN THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR FASTENERS LISTED IN THE PARTS BOOKS.

Removal and installation

STEERING COLUMN

WARNING: BEFORE SERVICING THE STEERING COLUMN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM MUST BE DISARMED.

REFER TO GROUP 8M RESTRAINT SYSTEMS FOR SERVICE PROCEDURES. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

CAUTION: Keep clock spring from turning during removal and installation. Failure to do so may damage the clock spring.

REMOVAL

(1) Position front wheels straight ahead.

(2) Remove and isolate the negative battery ground cable.

(3) Remove the airbag, refer to Group 8M Restraint Systems for service procedures.

NOTE: If equipped with cruise control, disconnect clock spring harness from cruise switch harness on the steering wheel.

(4) Remove the steering wheel with an appropriate puller (Fig. 1).

CAUTION: Ensure the puller bolts are fully engaged into the steering wheel and not into the clockspring, before attempting to remove the wheel. Failure to do so may damage the steering wheel.

(5) Turn ignition cylinder to the on position and remove cylinder by pressing release through lower shroud access hole (Fig. 2).

Fig. 1 Steering Wheel

1 - PULLER
2 - STEERING WHEEL

Fig. 2 Key Cylinder Release Access Hole

1 - LOWER SHROUD
2 - RELEASE ACCESS HOLE

(6) Remove knee blocker cover and knee blocker, Refer to Group 8E Instrument Panel Systems.

(7) Remove screws from the lower column shroud (Fig. 3) and remove lower shroud.

(8) Remove the steering coupler bolt and column mounting nuts (Fig. 4) then lower column off the mounting stud.

(9) Remove upper column shroud (Fig. 3).

(10) Disconnect and remove the wiring harness from the column (Fig. 5).

NOTE: If vehicle is equipped with automatic transmission, remove shifter interlock cable. Refer to Group 21 Transmission and Transfer Case for procedure.

Fig. 3 Column Shrouds

1 - UPPER SHROUD
2 - LOWER SHROUD

Fig. 4 Tilt Steering Column Mounting

1 - STEERING COLUMN
2 - MOUNTING NUTS
3 - COUPLER BOLT

(11) Remove column.

(12) Remove nut and bolt from the upper column mounting bracket on non-tilt column (Fig. 6). Remove the bracket from the column and note the mounting location and orientation of the bracket..

(13) Remove clock spring, switches, (SKIM if equipped) and ignition key cylinder, refer to Group 8 Electrical for service procedures.

INSTALLATION

(1) Install upper column mounting bracket on nontilt column. Install the mounting bolt and tighten the nut to 17 N·m (150 in. lbs.).

(2) Install switches, refer to Group 8 Electrical for service procedures.

Fig. 5 Steering Column Harness

1 - STEERING COLUMN
2 - INTERLOCK CABLE
3 - COLUMN HARNESS

Fig. 6 Non-Tilt Column

1 - NON-TILT COLUMN
2 - UPPER BRACKET

(3) Align and install column into the steering coupler.

(4) Install column harness and connect harness to switches.

NOTE: If vehicle is equipped with automatic transmission install shifter interlock cable. Refer to Group 21 Transmission and Transfer Case for installation and adjustment.

(5) Install upper column shrouds.

(6) Install column onto the mounting studs.

(7) Install mounting nuts and tighten to 23 N·m (17 ft. lbs.).

(8) Install steering column coupler bolt and tighten to 49 N·m (36 ft. lbs.).

(9) Center the clock spring (if necessary) and install it on the column, refer to Group 8 Electrical for service procedures.

(10) Install lower column shroud and install mounting screws.

(11) Install ignition cylinder.

(12) Install knee blocker and knee blocker cover, Refer to Group 8E Instrument Panel Systems.

(13) Install steering wheel and tighten nut to 54 N·m (40 ft. lbs.).

NOTE: If equipped with cruise control, connect clock spring harness to cruise switch harness on the steering wheel.

(14) Install airbag, refer to Group 8M Restraint Systems for service procedures.

(15) Install negative battery terminal.

Specifications

TORQUE CHART

DESCRIPTION TORQUE

Tilt Steering Column

Steering Wheel Nut . . . . . . . . 54 N·m (40 ft. lbs.)
Mounting Nuts . . . . . . . . . . . 23 N·m (17 ft. lbs.)
Coupler Bolt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 N·m (36 ft. lbs.)

Non-Tilt Steering Column

Steering Wheel Nut . . . . . . . . 54 N·m (40 ft. lbs.)
Mounting Nuts . . . . . . . . . . . 23 N·m (17 ft. lbs.)
Coupler Bolt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 N·m (36 ft. lbs.)
Upper Bracket Nut . . . . . . . 17 N·m (150 in. lbs.)