Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Easiest way to remove steering wheel?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-05-2009, 10:50 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
CJ2WRANGLER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default Easiest way to remove steering wheel?

I haven't really "looked" hard at it yet, but the wheels a little loose, I heard that there is 4 bolts inside that loosen over time. What's the easiest way to get to them?Name:  100_1276.jpg
Views: 12330
Size:  78.5 KBThanks for any and all input!
Old 02-05-2009, 10:53 PM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
BuckB91XJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Oak Harbor, WA.
Posts: 6,989
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 liter RENIX I-6, DIY Cold Air Intake, 2.5 FM Exhaust, 3 Core Radiator
Default

You will need a puller to get the steering wheel off. Just your regular "crow's foot" type puller will work fine.
Old 02-06-2009, 08:56 AM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
caged's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 7,874
Received 94 Likes on 85 Posts
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

is it the tilt knuckle?
if so, you'll have to start at the top by removing the steering wheel, the horn, signal and key mechanism to get all the way down to the tilt ball.
there is 2 pins you'll have to try to remove.
it's much easier if you remove the column and do this on the work bench.

but once you do that, it's waaay easier to just get a replacement from the junk yard, and replace the whole column. less work and much less aggravation.

the same thing happened to me and i just replaced the whole column.

once replaced, DON'T use the steering wheel to pull yourself into the jeep.
it's a bad habit that's very hard to break. i still find myself doing it the odd time.
Old 02-06-2009, 09:14 AM
  #4  
CF Veteran
 
offroadnut36's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Hollidaysburg, PA
Posts: 5,603
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 lt. 242 cu.in.
Default

tke off the horn button. it just pulls right off. then there is a nut, just take that off and then use a puller. you can rent a steering wheel puller from autozone. i think its like 15 bucks, then when you take it back they give you a refund, so its free. there should be a little wire too, but i forget what to do with tha. its been a while since i took mine off.
Old 02-09-2009, 06:15 AM
  #5  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
CJ2WRANGLER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I got it fixed this past weekend, I went ahwad and put a new ignition switch on it while I had it off, the old ones "ears" were tore off making it hard for my wife to start. Thanks for all of the help guys!
Old 04-03-2010, 09:45 AM
  #6  
Junior Member
 
Zreiser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

The easy way would be simply use a hammer and your knees! Watched a vid of a guy doing it on his classic MG, and guess what, the XJ steering bolt is almost exactly the same. You just back the nut off til it's exactly level with the bolt (not off or under, you'll strip the threads!), then just whack the hell out of it with a flat face hammer (or steel mallet first, then hit the mallet with a hammer) while you pull back on the wheel with your knees and pull on the top at the same time. A few good whacks got my XJ's wheel right off, no problems; still steers like a dream. Saves a trip to the store and a tool you'll only need once.
Old 01-30-2013, 11:46 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
xj guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Joliet, Il
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: HO4.0 I6
Default

Any tips on how to get the steering wheel/column off of a 96? I have airbags and the whole 9 yards on the wheel. I had an older xj and it was just as easy as you guys said it was, but now i'm trying to figure out how to do my 96.

I tilted it down to take off the dash bezel and now it won't tilt back up
Old 01-30-2013, 03:28 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
xj guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Joliet, Il
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: HO4.0 I6
Default

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=943272

I used this link to get myself started disassembling my wheel. Helped out a ton for those of us who have a 95-96 xj.

But for my scenario I took off the air bag assembly and thought to myself, let me try to use the tilt one more time. After spending all that time taking apart the wheel I tried it one more time and sure enough it worked...
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
t.mcginley.jr
Jeep Builds
105
01-31-2024 04:58 PM
southfloridajeeps
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
32
03-04-2023 01:10 PM
beabout
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
14
07-06-2018 11:10 AM
ryan_lerv
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
5
03-29-2016 01:49 PM
southfloridajeeps
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
9
09-05-2015 01:30 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: Easiest way to remove steering wheel?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:07 AM.