QuestionHello Doug,
I have a 91 Jeep Cherokee with a tilt steering which is quite loose. I have removed the steering wheel, the metal pressure plate, the vinyl 'cam' (held in place with three torx screws) but...I cannot seem to remove the "upper bowl assembly" (as I've heard it is called) in order to get at the bolts to tighten them.
I appears that the lock cylinder may be in the way but I cannot locate the 'pin' to release the lock cylinder.
Based on the behavior of this tilt column, it seems that there must be 4 bolts holding it in place. They seem to be in the 2, 4, 8 and 10 O'clock positions. I can actually see one of them (at 2 O'clock) that is completely un-threaded but the head is hidden behind the lock cylinder housing. I was able to reach the one at the 4 o'clock position and tighten it but I can't get to the rest of them.
How do I get that upper bowl assembly off and where is the release pin for the lock cylinder?
Thanks so much in advance for your help!
Answer
jeep lock
Hi Glenn:
The older jeeps did not have a release pin or bolt, they had a spring loaded bar you need to press while pulling the cylinder out. I'll enclose a picture for you to see exactly where the bar release is.
As far as the loose tilt, that's a very common question with a much longer answer. (some of this you've done already)
Here goes:
Disconnect and remove the steering wheel,(special puller needed), the lock plate,(another special puller needed) the horn cancel cam, the turn signal switch, the lock cylinder, the upper lock cover, (with the wiper switch and cruise arm still mounted inside) the tilt housing spring (push and rotate the locking cap and release the spring gently), the tilt housing pins on each side (the third special puller needed), the tilt housing with bearings and the ignition rack gear...and then you can get to the 4 bolts that hold the tilt mechanism to the tube. Before the upper shaft happens to fall off, take note of the notch on the tip so you can reinstall the shaft EXACTLY in the same position you took it off. Otherwise your steering wheel can end up upside down.
Then you have the monumental task of putting it all back together and aligning the gears for the ignition along with the dimmer actuator and rod (all at the same time).
Good luck
