924Board.org

leadfoot · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 9:39 am Post subject: steering shaft

lately i have developed a rattling in the steering wheel column. This is most noticeable on bumpy highway and during take off's in first gear. I am able to wiggle the steering wheel up and down a little and this is with the steering wheel nut tensioned correctly. Are the bearings in the steering column able to be replaced, or is a new unit needed.
Leadfoot

AznDrgn · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 9:48 am Post subject:

It sounds like the bushing is gone. There is a plastic bushing that sits on the shaft just under the steering wheel. If you look on page 192 of haynes it's like part 15. I think the part was like $5 last winter when I got mine.
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-'87 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L 6" of lift 33" Super Swampers

-'83 Callaway 944 2.5L turbo, 300HP, 1 of 42 ever made

Doodle · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 3:04 pm Post subject:

It could be as AznDrgn suggests or perhaps the upper steering column support bearing located in the ignition lock housing. I've now dis-assembled 2 of these units and found this bearing to be completely shot in both. I believe the plastic piece AznDrgn is refering too fits over the steering column and inside the inner race of the support bearing. The plastic piece provides the friction fit between the shaft and the bearing but I believe it is the bearing which actually provides the support for the steering column. In any case since you have to pull the ignition lock housing to get to the plastic piece, be sure to carefully check the condition of the bearing. Both parts are relatively inexpensive.
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Doodle
Pre 77.5 Mars Red

John Brown · Joined: 07 Nov 2002 Posts: 903 Location: Leesburg VA

Picture and part number last item at bottom of page.

http://users.adelphia.net/~johnbrown3/parts7.htm
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John
80 931 - #931 44Cup
99 Escalade - tows track cars
gone but not forgotten: original 924.org car - 82

leadfoot · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:48 am Post subject:

thanks guys, i think i'll replace both just to make sure.
leadfoot

leadfoot · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 4:01 pm Post subject:

Doodle you just won, your prize is a used support bearing, it's in the post... thanxs for the help guys... this really makes a difference
Leadfoot...

leadfoot · Last edited by leadfoot on Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:58 pm; edited 1 time in total

Ok I'm just finishing off this post guys...
My steering now feels brand new again, there was an 95% improvement after changing the bearing and plastic bushing. The problem that I encountered along the way was, that in order to get the old bearing out easiely, I had to grind the front of the igniton housing flush with the brearing. This made the new bearing not as tight as the old one in fitment, but today, I had some time on my hands I decided to get ingenuitive. So I reached for my trusty flathead screwdriver and hammer and went around the housing in a circle to pinch in the aluminium against the bearing. Making a very light contct at around 45 degrees with the aluminium, I only needed to make around 12 points of contact, just enough to take up the slack.
I am now 100% happy with the result as I have no play whatsoever in the steering wheel.
One note here as well is to be careful when driving out the old bearing from behind, do not rest the ignition housing on the three bolt points that the switchgear attaches to, as these bend and snap very easily.
Leadfoot

procon · Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 326 Location: WNC

Thanks Leadfoot!
This is the post I PM'ed you about.