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Car Forum / Jeep / May 2004steering columns- cherokee to wrangler?
The adjustable steering column in my wrangler is very loose; sloppy down in the pivot, the joint. I am worried that it may come apart some day when driving. I've had the steering wheel come off a car when driving (long, long ago when we bought cars for $50) but that was easy to put back on. A separated U-joint down inside the steering column seems like it would be more difficult to arrange. I can find a steering column from a parting out cherokee. Are they interchangable? You need to give us some years and makes. Apparently they changed the column from the Saganaw unit every GM van, Camaro, Chevette and pickup uses in the mid 90's to something else. One person that doesn't usually have accurate info says it was in 94, but I would suspect the change was with the TJ, not in the middle of the production run of the YJ's. The GM units are a fast easy swap. A couple bolts under the dash, a couple at the firewall and one spline bolt outside the firewall. You pull and out it comes. Mike 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's > The adjustable steering column in my wrangler is very loose; sloppy down > in the pivot, the joint. I am worried that it may come apart some day [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > I can find a steering column from a parting out cherokee. Are they > interchangable? Ah. Yes. My wrangler is a 1987. The cherokee being parted out is early 90's I believe. I actually haven't asked because the idea just recently occured to me. Wrangler's use GM steering columns? > You need to give us some years and makes. > [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] >>I can find a steering column from a parting out cherokee. Are they >>interchangable? GM uses the same Saganaw steering column so you have a large choice for colors, tilt, etc. at the wreckers.. Mike > Ah. Yes. My wrangler is a 1987. The cherokee being parted out is early > 90's I believe. I actually haven't asked because the idea just recently [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > >>I can find a steering column from a parting out cherokee. Are they > >>interchangable? I have an old tilt steering column (column shift), shaft and power steering gear box from a Chevy caprice (model unknown but it looked late 80's to very early 90's). I want to convert to power steering and the tilt would nice. I bought a Jeep power steering shaft. Overall, the column is longer than my Jeep and the shaft is much shorter than my stock. Does anybody know if I can use the Chevy tilt column and gear box in the Jeep if I have a new power steering shaft? o_o_o_o Best Regards, /| ,[_____], Jim, WP3JQ |???L --O|||||||O- ()_)?()_) ????? )_) EM60qk 30.447439N 086.628959W > GM uses the same Saganaw steering column so you have a large choice for > colors, tilt, etc. at the wreckers.. [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > >>I can find a steering column from a parting out cherokee. Are they > > >>interchangable? Hi Jim, There's a zillion old Jeeps running around with that setup. But I'd really try to keep it with the stock sized box, shafts and column, it'll probably save you time improvising, and a whole lot easier for the next owner. There's also a big difference between passenger and Jeep steering ratios, three turns lock to lock is about twice as fast a Jeep. God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O mailto:LWHughes3rd@aol.com http://www.billhughes.com/ > I have an old tilt steering column (column shift), shaft and power > steering gear box from a Chevy caprice (model unknown but it looked late [quoted text clipped - 51 lines] > > > >>I can find a steering column from a parting out cherokee. Are they > > > >>interchangable? Bill, My manual steering box is shot and I have to replace it urgently. I'm converting to a small block Chevy and NV4500 really soon and will convert to power steering but don't have the pump/brackets/hoses yet. The Caprice's steering box appears the same, only a bit longer since it's power steering. I'll get a correct box but this is all I have right now. Can I put in the Caprice's power steering box for now and run it like a manual box without hurting the box or struggling without the pump's assist? Any ideas on how to bypass the pump & reservoir? (I have a 2" body lift if that makes a difference.) I know steering will by fast and touchy but the manual box is just unsafe. It's adjusted to the point that the nut barely has a thread to hang on to and still has about 1/2 a full turn on the steering wheel of play. Deep wheel ruts on the road make me fishtail as I steer back and forth to keep it under control so I stay under 45mph. When I pulled out of a parking lot the other day, something felt like it wanted to bind in the gear. I'm literally on the verge of a "bind". I really appreciate any advice I can get 'cause it's my daily driver 4 miles to work. o_o_o_o Best Regards, /| ,[_____], Jim, WP3JQ |???L --O|||||||O- ()_)?()_) ????? )_) EM60qk 30.447439N 086.628959W > Hi Jim, > There's a zillion old Jeeps running around with that setup. But I'd [quoted text clipped - 60 lines] > > > > >>I can find a steering column from a parting out cherokee. Are they > > > > >>interchangable? Mike, I see that you're up this morning. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts since the question's for anybody with insight. o_o_o_o Best Regards, /| ,[_____], Jim, WP3JQ |???L --O|||||||O- ()_)?()_) ????? )_) EM60qk 30.447439N 086.628959W > Bill, > My manual steering box is shot and I have to replace it urgently. I'm [quoted text clipped - 98 lines] > > > > > >>I can find a steering column from a parting out cherokee. Are they > > > > > >>interchangable? What Bill is saying makes sense about mixing 'car' boxes and Jeep boxes. Someone else here has the same issue, the 'car' box is way too fast. I really don't know what you should expect mixing them up. The other poster sure doesn't like it. I now know what he was complaining about. I was thinking he has a camber issue because his steering won't track back straight after a turn. Or too short of a pinion arm, but he checked and it is the same. Now it makes more sense, the gear ratio is too tight to allow it to track back straight by itself, it has to be pulled back. He was grumbling something about ditches and front lawns and lane changes faster than you can blink..... I would run fluid in the power box if you do decide to use it, even if the power isn't there. I would just hook the output to the input with a hose clamp. I don't know what column you are playing with. The Saganaw unit that the 80's GM have is exactly the same as the one in my 86 CJ7. Mike > Mike, > I see that you're up this morning. Feel free to chime in with your [quoted text clipped - 122 lines] > they > > > > > > >>interchangable? Good idea, Mike. Didn't even consider a simple hose clamp since there's no pressure on the fluid. It's too simple. The original box is so shot that a lightning fast lane change is where I'm at already. The only difference is that there's so much play that it does it on it's own:( This is just a temporary fix in the interim 'til I can get the other drivetrain in and get the right pump, reservoir, etc. Is the steering gonna be really hard like when you kill the engine with power steering or is that just the drag of a non-turning pump? The Saginaw box appears identical to mine but I think it's just a tad bit extended to accommodate the hoses. I have both steering columns from the Caprice and the Jeep and bought a power steering shaft to boot. If I can, I'll use the tilt wheel column from the Caprice and the power steering shaft for the Jeep to connect to the gear box. Once the drivetrain's swapped and I know what brackets and pump I need, I'll finish by changing the steering gear box. Maybe even a new AGR box. How's this all sound? Am I tracking right? Am I missing something?  Signatureo_o_o_o Best Regards, /| ,[_____], Jim, WP3JQ |???L --O|||||||O- ()_)?()_) ????? )_) EM60qk 30.447439N 086.628959W > What Bill is saying makes sense about mixing 'car' boxes and Jeep boxes. > [quoted text clipped - 145 lines] > > they > > > > > > > >>interchangable? Just got off the line with 4WDHardware and they told me the following. The only difference between the power/manual steering shaft is that the input shaft to the box is 3/4in for the manual box and 13/16in for the powered box. Length is identical. The GM box I have has a much smaller input shaft with a peg coming out the end of the shaft so the Jeep shaft won't slip on regardless of shaft diameter. It looks as though I'll have to break down and bite the bullet to buy a new Jeep box. I really wanted to go with an AGR box and still might; having to put off the engine/tranny swap til I get a little more money. Anybody heard this about the shaft diameter for GM vice Jeep? Having that tilt wheel would've been nice. o_o_o_o Best Regards, /| ,[_____], Jim, WP3JQ |???L --O|||||||O- ()_)?()_) ????? )_) EM60qk 30.447439N 086.628959W > Good idea, Mike. Didn't even consider a simple hose clamp since there's > no pressure on the fluid. It's too simple. The original box is so shot [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > for the Jeep to connect to the gear box. Once the drivetrain's swapped and > I know what brackets and pump I need, I'll finish by changing the steering > gear box. Maybe even a new AGR box. > How's this all sound? Am I tracking right? Am I missing something? [quoted text clipped - 178 lines] > > > they > > > > > > > > >>interchangable? The steering column is the part that is inside the Jeep cab. This is a Saganaw unit like the one the GM's use. The steering shaft is it's own part, same for the box. Likely Jeep specific for those. So you 'can' still have tilt steering... Mike > Just got off the line with 4WDHardware and they told me the following. > The only difference between the power/manual steering shaft is that the [quoted text clipped - 233 lines] > > > > they > > > > > > > > > >>interchangable? I just talked with George from George's Jeeps in Mississippi (I think). Really good guy and very patient. Never had a problem getting through and recommend him if you can't find a part. Anyway, he said that the GM steering box I have has three mounting bolts (he's right) and the Jeep box has four so it won't work. Gotta go check to make sure. It all sounds right. I'll just have to break down (strange choice of words:) and get the Jeep box from probably AGR. Then, when I have the GM small block in place, I get the small block brackets and power steering pump/reservoir. That should do just fine to power the steering gear. The only thing I can think of are the hydraulic lines. Anybody got any advice to make sure the hose ends are compatible? If worse comes to worst, I can get a pair made custom here locally but would rather be able to get an original set without having to custom make every time. o_o_o_o Best Regards, /| ,[_____], Jim, WP3JQ |???L --O|||||||O- ()_)?()_) ????? )_) EM60qk 30.447439N 086.628959W > The steering column is the part that is inside the Jeep cab. This is a > Saganaw unit like the one the GM's use. [quoted text clipped - 243 lines] > > > > > they > > > > > > > > > > >>interchangable? I think the pump is the same one. It sure looks the same.... The pump just has one hydraulic line, the other is just low pressure with hose clamps. I guess I would likely take the pump with me to the store to make sure before buying the line. Even if you went custom, it isn't a part that wears out often. My 86 one is still hanging in there.... Mike > I just talked with George from George's Jeeps in Mississippi (I think). > Really good guy and very patient. Never had a problem getting through and [quoted text clipped - 315 lines] > > > > > > they > > > > > > > > > > > >>interchangable? The only thing I need to figure out right now is what's the common link between GM pump and the steering box; flared end hose or O-ring. Shouldn't be too hard to get down. o_o_o_o Best Regards, /| ,[_____], Jim, WP3JQ |???L --O|||||||O- ()_)?()_) ????? )_) EM60qk 30.447439N 086.628959W > I think the pump is the same one. It sure looks the same.... The pump > just has one hydraulic line, the other is just low pressure with hose [quoted text clipped - 190 lines] > > > > > > > > EM60qk 30.447439N 086.628959W > > > > > > > > "L.W. (?ill) Hughes III" <billhughes@cox.net> wrote in message > > > > > > > > news:40819860.D2EF8586@cox.net... > > > > > > > > > Hi Jim, [quoted text clipped - 133 lines] > > > > > > > they > > > > > > > > > > > > >>interchangable? The steering boxes are made my Saginaw I would say Chrysler, Ford and GM would all adapt to it, rather than the other way around. God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O mailto:LWHughes3rd@aol.com http://www.billhughes.com/ > The only thing I need to figure out right now is what's the common link > between GM pump and the steering box; flared end hose or O-ring. Shouldn't [quoted text clipped - 389 lines] > > > > > > > > they > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>interchangable? I'm considering getting a new AGR steering gearbox. Does anybody have any good/bad experience with 'em? What's best for an on-road driver that gets off-road every week or so? Box 1 has 16:1 and box 2 has variable rate of 17:1 to 13:1. I don't understand which rate is which (17 on road to keep you from whipping across lanes inadvertently or off-road to give you power in terrain). Pretty sure that someone here's got one and might've wished they'd gotten the other. Also, thinking of getting an '80-'86 version instead for my '76 CJ-7 maybe. The '80 and up version uses O-ring hoses (if that's better than flared). Also, since I'm dropping in a Chevy small block, maybe O-ring versions are more compatible. What say ye all? o_o_o_o Best Regards, /| ,[_____], Jim, WP3JQ |???L --O|||||||O- ()_)?()_) ????? )_) EM60qk 30.447439N 086.628959W > The steering boxes are made my Saginaw I would say Chrysler, Ford > and GM would all adapt to it, rather than the other way around. [quoted text clipped - 394 lines] > > > > > > > > > they > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>interchangable? Both those ratios are about twice what a passenger car would use. I don't think you'll find a choice of fittings, pretty much everything converted to O rings because they're cheaper. God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O mailto:LWHughes3rd@aol.com http://www.billhughes.com/ > I'm considering getting a new AGR steering gearbox. Does anybody have any > good/bad experience with 'em? What's best for an on-road driver that gets [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > ()_)¯()_) ¯¯¯¯¯ )_) > EM60qk 30.447439N 086.628959W What do the ratios mean? Mine has 4 turns point to point, so 4:1? Mike 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's "L.W.(ßill) Hughes III" wrote: > Both those ratios are about twice what a passenger car would use. > I don't think you'll find a choice of fittings, pretty much [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > ()_)¯()_) ¯¯¯¯¯ )_) > > EM60qk 30.447439N 086.628959W Those would be for the complete 360, you probably only use about a quarter of that, so your four turn would be 16:1 God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O mailto:LWHughes3rd@aol.com http://www.billhughes.com/ > What do the ratios mean? > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 > 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's Do you think the O-ring style's better? o_o_o_o Best Regards, /| ,[_____], Jim, WP3JQ |???L --O|||||||O- ()_)?()_) ????? )_) EM60qk 30.447439N 086.628959W > Both those ratios are about twice what a passenger car would use. > I don't think you'll find a choice of fittings, pretty much [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > ()_)?()_) ????? )_) > > EM60qk 30.447439N 086.628959W No, we'd still be using R-12 refrigerant in our air conditioning if the new car manufacturers used flared fittings. God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O mailto:LWHughes3rd@aol.com http://www.billhughes.com/ > Do you think the O-ring style's better? > o_o_o_o > Best Regards, /| ,[_____], > Jim, WP3JQ |¯¯¯L --O|||||||O- > ()_)¯()_) ¯¯¯¯¯ )_) > EM60qk 30.447439N 086.628959W So I ended up putting the cherokee column in my 87 wrangler. The tilt mechanism was beyond us. Some bolts were missing. Put in a non-tilt column from a cherokee. The bottom of the column had to be ground down to fit into the firewall. No problem. Then it turned out that the new column is 3 cm shorter than the one I took out. Ok, burned new holes for mounting the bracket under the dash. No problem. Then it turns out that the brake switch on the top of the brake pedal is contacting the outer sleeve on the (shorter) non-tilt column. So, I disconnected the brake light switch until I can get it apart again and figure out how to give it clearance. I thought the brake light switch was that thing on the master cylinder. Oh, horn shorts out too. Disconnected it for now until we can get back in under the wheel. Steering columns are a lot more crowded than I remember working on my corvair. The actual ignition switch isn't even at the key lock. The key mechanism pushes a rod down to the switch under the dashboard! Sounds about right. It will be 'armstrong' steering for sure, way harder than standard steering. Mike > Good idea, Mike. Didn't even consider a simple hose clamp since there's > no pressure on the fluid. It's too simple. The original box is so shot [quoted text clipped - 199 lines] > > > they > > > > > > > > >>interchangable? > Good idea, Mike. Didn't even consider a simple hose clamp since there's > no pressure on the fluid. It's too simple. The original box is so shot [quoted text clipped - 199 lines] > > > they > > > > > > > > >>interchangable? I haven't looked carefully to see if they are interchangable, but externally the column on my `89 Cherokee /looks/ identical to the one on my `79 CJ-5. Standard GM light truck column. I'd bet that any GM pickup truck column, give or take a half-dozen or so model-years from yours, would fit. Beware: These things are made to go together on the assembly line, not anywhere else. In my `79 there's a bracket up under the dash that holds the column, the column is bolted through a pair of wedge-shaped spacers that slide into slots in the bracket. If yours is like this, mark the spacers for position and orientation before you take them out or it will take you forever to get them back in the right way. > Ah. Yes. My wrangler is a 1987. The cherokee being parted out is early > 90's I believe. I actually haven't asked because the idea just recently [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > >>I can find a steering column from a parting out cherokee. Are they > >>interchangable? Are you talking about the steering column seems loose inside? You might be able to take it partially apart and tighten up those offending loose bolts. I have done that to my 82 Wagoneer and I think my 88 XJ was similar when I repaired damage due to an almost theft. Cheap and fast fix IF you have a few specialized tools. Now if you are talking about that joint/pivot in the engine compartment area.......don't read the above! ;-) later, dave AKA vwdoc1 > The adjustable steering column in my wrangler is very loose; sloppy down > in the pivot, the joint. I am worried that it may come apart some day [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > I can find a steering column from a parting out cherokee. Are they > interchangable? If he is talking about the joint in the engine compartment, it might not be the U-joint. There's a bearing and a plastic retainer at the bottom of the column tube that gives up the ghost. If it goes the steering shaft gets wiggly. There's a repair kit for that. > Are you talking about the steering column seems loose inside? > You might be able to take it partially apart and tighten up those offending [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > I can find a steering column from a parting out cherokee. Are they > > interchangable? >The adjustable steering column in my wrangler is very loose; sloppy down >in the pivot, the joint. I am worried that it may come apart some day [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >I can find a steering column from a parting out cherokee. Are they >interchangable? Mine developed the same problem so I rebuilt it myself and it wasn't that bad a job if you are patient. You will need a lock ring compressor a pivot pin puller and a basic steering wheel puller, I found all these tools at a local automotive shop. Mine was loose and got worse when I did the 1" body lift, extending the streering shaft exagerated the problem. I took mine apart documenting each step with the digital camera and had only one problem, I bent the lock plate and it rubbed when I turned corners but it was an easy fix. These are step by step how to's http://www.necoa.org/article95.html http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/suspension/t_steering.html http://www.ifsja.org/tech/steering/column.shtml This is for a Fero but the column was the same as the one in my 87 YJ http://www.fieros.de/en/articles/steering.html Pictures of tools required. http://www.skywaytools.com/autopg1.html http://www.drivewerks.com/catalog/ShopCart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_CAT387_pg17.htm |
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