Recently My tilt column became ridiculously loose and almost feels like its gonna fall off! it even shorts out the ignition and loses all power if moved too far. it was always a little sloppy when i bought it but after a little (kinda rough) run recently it became scarily undrivable. HELP! how do I replace or repair it?. write ups?, pics? any other vehicle types or models that will fit? Its a 91 XJ with cruise control (that never worked...already a replacement column maybe?)
thanks!!

 

Hmmm... I wrote a quick tutorial on how to get to the bolts in the tilt mechanism but I'm not sure where it is. You might try using the "Search This Thread" option and use the key words lose column (or loose for those who misspelled lose )

 

WooT! Found it!

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/i-c...-wheel-125657/

 

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/loose
jes sayin...

awesome write ups, bookmarked it and will do the research. CF ftw!

rockin shots (FB link) man! I too am a shooter but no where near as refined as yours.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58829977@N00/
thanks again!

 

LOL! See what happens when I post past my bed time? DOH!

Oh I don't know, that's a pretty diverse portfolio. You've clearly got a firm grasp on the artistry of it, I especially liked some of your still-lifes. I have a difficult time recognizing the beauty in things that are not typically beautiful. It takes skill to make a can of beer and a half-eaten sandwich look good... a skill I don't have but you clearly do.

Good luck on the column, it's a PITA to get in there but once those bolts are tight she'll drive like new. I did mine a few months ago and despite some pretty rough terrain, they're holding firm with no play in the tilt.

 

you're better off just replacing the column. takes less than half the time.

 

@ F1 thanks man. lol..this is teetering on going way off topic here so imma shift back.

for the sake of discussion and exploring options;
@ caged, as per my original question how do I replace?. write ups?, pics? any other vehicle types or models that will fit? our local PnP usually has a pretty slim selection of XJs

thanks!

 

i replaced the column in my 91 i used to have. if i remember right it was just 4 bolts to the dash 3 on the floor and one on the shaft to the power steering pump. mine was doing the same thing but it got to the point where it just wouldn't start at all. i think their were two electrical connections and a rod for the ignition

a tip: if you have auto windows make sure they're up before you start. i didn't and got caught with them down in a rain storm with no way up

 

you have to remove the knee panel to access the two bolts that hold the column to the dash. then there are two bolts that hold it to the floor, then one at the steering box.

very easy to do.

 

So you got to pick-n-pull, found a column that didn't have more issues than the one you're replacing, removed it from the donor, paid for it, drove it home, removed your old column, and installed JY harvested column in half the time it took me to tighten three bolts? I'm impressed.

My solution is free, though. Free is always good, but replacement is certainly an option to consider.

 

rebuttal?

 

it took me about 3-4h total i think i just didn't have the replacement when i started so their was a couple days between removal and install. i can't honestly says which is better i haven't done the bolt tightening. the only thing i can think of is, don't you have to have a steering wheel puller to tighten the bolts?

also i forgot about the bottom dash panel

 

I'll admit, pulling the wheel, ignition barrel, and multi-switch is a pain in the butt and I can understand why someone would choose to replace rather than repair. I guess it depends on whether you have more money or more time and patience. I happen to fall into the latter category so I chose to fix. Even when my wallet is bulging (which is never) I'll always choose to repair something that is repairable rather than to just replace it. 'Cuz I like fixin' stuff

 

no, fortunately for me i had 5 parts cherokees

 

very simple fix...http://www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html