Bill Brissette

so, I've owned my 89 cherokee laredo for 16 years, and it's seen better days. the steering column/tilt mechanism has been cracked for a year or so, and I tightened it up but today something in it snapped, and it sorta fell in my lap. I can still steer but it's obviously unsafe. I've been trying to find a replacement column to drop in but I'm just getting dozens of callers from the same Indian call center, and I've read some reviews of the places they claim to be calling from and it feels like a scam. I live in NYC and can't let this sit for much longer than a week without it becoming a huge problem... so I'm looking at having to sell or junk the vehicle if I can't find a good steering column quickly.

any advice? do you have one? (grey, tilt, cruise control, auto on the floor, delay wipers)

Oswalla

Not sure what the deal with a call center is, east coast thing ? Around here any wrecking yard has mostly the tilt columns, the non-tilt is hard to find. If you know how to dig into a column you can get parts when you find the problem. I have a good diagram write up somewhere if you want it, let me know its a big file. With a steering puller and lock plate compressor you can have that tore down to tilt mechanism in 30 minutes or less.

It is a gm column so parts can still be had just not at your local autozone probably. Here is a link to some steering parts place, lots more on google.

http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com/gmtilt.php

Bill Brissette

well, the last time i had it open it was clear that the aluminum housing was cracked, and today when it gave way, I could see another broken part, a black painted steel bracket that runs over the top of the column. it has full motion now like a joystick... I do not want to try and repair this column, I just want to swap a functional one in. Part of the issue is I have nowhere to have it sit taken apart, I have to park on street and move it at least once a week... so I need a single day operation if possible. if I take it apart to find out what GM parts I need, it's unlikely I'll be able to get the parts and reassmble in any timely fashion. It's really hard to get older parts here in this city.

Oswalla

I hear ya, I lived in apartments that wouldn't let you work on cars. A swap should be nice and quick though. If memory serves me right 84' thru 94' should be the same ? Someone correct me if I am wrong. Some research will tell what GM vehicles might work to. Ebay probably your best bet to get a drop in ready used one. Here is one with a quick search :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/bn1984-1994-...lYysvy&vxp=mtr

Bill Brissette

Hey thanks for the link... I saw that on ebay... but it's non tilt and I need a tilt wheel. didn't find a close match on ebay. It's crazy how many calls I got from the same Indian call center, after submitting request for quote on a used part finder... appears from the reviews online to be a scam... got frustrating after the 6th call.

Oswalla

Copied wrong link, I was looking at that one also. Needs some work though, new combo stalk and transfer of your ignition key. I know a place but have no idea of what shipping will cost, you'll have to call. 205 auto salvage .com. Its where I go if I cant find a part at u-pull-it yard.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/84-94-Jeep-C...3D222536932269

freegdr

Contact ..Very good reputaion used numerous times.....https://www.cherokeeforum.com/members/thexjfiles-2539/

Bill Brissette

so, the dramah continues. I finally received a junkyard column and the end bearing and plastic housing are busted up. Turns out the plastic part is discontinued. Anyone know how to even remove it?

Bill Brissette

I feel like i may be reading this diagram wrong, because part 20 seems like the part but the way it's drawn makes me think it is on the opposite end... But if the parts i have match the diagram, part 20 and 21 are probably what are broken. very frustrating.

10 PLATE J4487860

20 ADAPTER J8129486

21 BEARING J4486713

36 RETAINER J4487743

37 CLIP J4487739