1988 JEEP CHEROKEE Service Repair Manual

rod down column. Install bellcrank onto its mounting surface.
Gearshift lever should be in "PARK" position.
7) Place ignition switch on actuator rod. Rotate switch 90
degrees to lock rod into position. Install ignition lock by turning
key to "LOCK" position. Remove key. Insert cylinder into housing far
enough to contact switch actuator. Insert key. Press inward. Rotate
cylinder.
8) When parts align, cylinder will move inward and spring
loaded retainers will snap into place, locking cylinder in housing.
With cylinder and ignition switch in "LOCK" position, tighten ignition
switch mounting screws.
9) Feed key warning switch wires behind wiring post and down
through space between housing and jacket. Remove ignition key.
Position cylinder in housing. Tighten mounting screws. Install lower
bearing support (floor shift), bearing and spring on steering shaft.
10) Install and lubricate rubber "O" ring in lower groove on
upper end of steering shaft. Insert steering shaft assembly into
column assembly. Press upper bearing into upper bearing housing.
Bearing must be fully seated.
11) Push up on steering shaft to compress bearing and spring.
Hold shaft in this position until snap ring is installed. Install lock
plate on steering shaft. Install upper bearing spring. Install upper
bearing housing with bearing previously installed. Tighten bearing
housing retaining screws to 35 INCH lbs (4 N.m).
12) Install upper bearing snap ring on steering shaft,
locking assembly into position. Install 4 screws attaching bearing
housing to lock housing. Install ignition key lamp assembly in bearing
housing. Install turn signal switch in bearing housing.
13) Feed turn signal switch and ignition key lamp wires
through opening between bearing housing and lock housing and down
along bottom of jacket. Install bearing retainer plate. Tighten
screws. Ensure that ground wires from turn signal switch are
positioned toward ground clips before tightening.
14) Assemble wiper switch, shaft, cover or speed control
switch, switch cover and knob. Place wiper/washer switch assembly into
lock housing, feeding wires through lock housing. Fasten wires to turn
signal switch. Install dimmer switch rod and dimmer switch.
15) Install turn signal lever cover. Install breakaway
capsules. Install wiring trough in place, being careful not to pinch
wires. Install new retainers (if necessary).

Fig. 8: Exploded View of Tilt Steering Column
TILT WHEEL COLUMN
Disassembly

1) Remove lower bracket assembly-to-lower bearing support
bolts. On column shift models, remove shift housing cover. On floor
shift models, unsnap and remove shroud extensions. Remove wiring
protector from column jacket.
2) Mount column in vise at capsule bracket. Mount Holding
Fixture (C-4132) onto column. Mount holding fixture and column in
vise.
3) Remove tilt lever. To remove hazard warning knob, push in
knob while unscrewing. Remove ignition key light assembly. Pull knob
off wiper/washer switch assembly. Pull hider up switch lever. Remove 2
sleeve-to-wiper/washer switch retaining screws. Remove sleeve.
4) Rotate shaft in wiper switch fully clockwise. Remove shaft
by pulling straight out of wiper/washer switch. Carefully remove
plastic cover from lock plate. Using Lock Plate Depressor (J-23653-A
for Jeep), depress lock plate. Pry retaining ring from groove.
5) Remove lock plate, canceling cam and upper bearing plate.
Remove switch actuator screw and arm. Remove 3 turn signal switch
attaching screws. Place shift bowl in "LOW" position. Wrap a piece of
tape around wires to prevent snagging when removing switch. Remove
switch and wiring.
6) Remove key light. Place lock cylinder in "LOCK" position.
Insert a small screwdriver into slot next to switch mounting screw
boss. Depress spring latch at bottom of slot. Remove lock.
7) Using a paper clip, remove key warning switch. Bend one
end of clip into a hook. Insert hook into exposed loop of wedge
spring. Pull clip. Remove spring and switch. DO NOT allow spring to
fall into steering column.
8) Remove 3 housing cover screws. Remove housing cover.
Remove wiper/washer switch. Using a punch, press out wiper switch
pivot pin (if necessary). Tilt lever opening shield and dimmer switch
actuator rod may be removed from cap (if necessary).
9) Place column in fully upright position. Using a large
Phillips screwdriver, remove tilt spring retainer. Insert screwdriver
in opening. Push in approximately 3/16". Turn approximately 1/8 turn
clockwise until ears align with grooves in housing. Remove spring and
guide.
10) Remove dimmer switch mounting screws. Remove dimmer
switch. Separate dimmer switch from rod by pulling on rod. Push upper
steering shaft in far enough to remove steering shaft inner race seat
and inner race. With ignition switch in "ACC" position, remove
ignition switch mounting screws and switch. Place Pivot Pin Remover
(J-21854-01 for Jeep) over pivot pin. Thread small portion of screw
firmly into pin.
11) Hold screw from turning with one wrench while turning nut
clockwise with a second wrench to withdraw pivot pin from support.
Remove opposite pivot pin in same manner. Use tilt release lever to
disengage lock shoes. Remove bearing housing assembly by pulling
upward to extend rack fully.
12) Move housing assembly left to disengage rack from
actuator. Rotate housing clockwise to free dimmer switch actuator rod.
Remove activator assembly. Remove coupling from lower end of steering
shaft. Double coupling is retained to shaft with a roll pin. Remove
shaft assembly from upper end.
CAUTION: DO NOT drop or bump steering shaft as plastic pins may shear.
13) Disassemble steering shaft assembly by removing center
spheres and anti-lash springs. See Fig. 9. Remove 4 bolts securing
support to lock plate. Remove support from end of column jacket.
Remove 2 attaching screws and shift gate from support (if necessary).
Dimmer switch is removed with support.

Fig. 9: Shaft Centering Spheres
14) Using a screwdriver, remove shift tube retaining ring.
Remove thrust washer. Remove 2 screws from lower bearing. Remove lower
bearing from jacket. Using Puller (J-23073-01 for Jeep), remove shift
tube from bowl. Insert bushing on end of puller in shift tube to force
tube from bowl. DO NOT hammer shift tube as plastic joints may shear.
Fig. 10: Removing Shift Tube from Bowl on Models With Tilt Wheel
15) From lower end of jacket, remove shift tube from jacket.
Remove jacket mounting plate by sliding from jacket notches and
tipping down toward bowl hub at 12 o'clock position under jacket

opening. Remove wave washer. Remove bowl from jacket. Remove shift
lever spring from bowl by winding spring up with pliers and pulling
out.
16) By removing spring retaining screw and moving spring
clockwise, remove lock bolt spring. Using a hammer and punch, lightly
tap drive shaft from sector. Remove drive shaft, sector and bolt.
Remove rack, spring and shim (if used). Remove tilt release lever pin.\
17) Relieve load on lever release by holding shoes inward.
Wedge a block between top of shoes and bearing housing. Remove release
lever and release lever spring. Using punch and hammer, remove lock
shoe pin. Remove lock shoes and lock shoe springs.
18) Remove bearings from bearing housing only if they are to
be replaced. Remove separator and ball from bearing. Place housing on
work bench. Using a punch against back surface of race, hammer race
from housing. DO NOT reuse bearings.
Reassembly
1) During reassembly, coat all friction surfaces with
multipurpose grease. Clamp column in vise so that both ends of column
are accessible. Install bearings in bearing housing (if removed).
2) Install lock shoe springs, lock shoes and shoe pin in
bearing housing. Use a .180" rod to line up shoes for pin
installation. With tilt lever opening on left side and with the shoes
facing up, the 4 slot shoe should also face up.
3) Install spring, release lever and pin in bearing housing.
Install drive shaft in housing. Lightly tap sector onto drive shaft
far enough to bottom on shaft. Install lock bolt. Engage lock bolt
with sector cam surface. Install rack and spring. Block tooth on rack
should engage block tooth on sector.
4) Install external tilt release lever. Install bolt spring
and spring retaining screw. Tighten to 35 INCH lbs. (4 N.m). Install
shift lever spring in bowl by winding up with pliers and pushing in.
Slide bowl into jacket. Install wave washer and jacket mounting plate.
5) Work jacket mounting plate into jacket notches by tipping
jacket mounting plate toward bowl hub at 12 o'clock position and under
jacket opening. Slide jacket mounting plate in jacket notches.
Carefully install shift tube in lower end of jacket.
6) Align key in tube with keyway in bowl. Using Puller (J-
23073-01 for Jeep), pull shift tube into bowl. See Fig. 11. DO NOT
push or tap on end of shift tube. By pulling bowl up and compressing
wave washer, install thrust washer and retaining pin.
Fig. 11: Installing Shift Tube on Models With Tilt Wheel
7) Slide dimmer switch actuator rod through hole in support.
Feed rod between bowl and jacket. Install support by aligning notch in
support with notch in jacket. Insert 4 screws through support into

jacket mounting plate. Tighten screws to 60 INCH lbs. (7 N.m). Install\
lower bearing on lower end of jacket (if removed).
8) Install centering spheres and anti-lash spring in upper
steering shaft. Install lower steering shaft from same side of spheres
that spring ends protrude. Perform a trial fit of assembly to ensure
that master serration of upper shaft is on same side as master
serration of lower shaft assembly.
9) Position shift bowl fully counterclockwise. Install
ignition switch actuator rod between bowl and jacket from bottom.
Guide back of coupling into support slot. Assemble bearing housing
over steering shaft. Engage rack over end of ignition switch actuator
rod.
10) Position access hole of bearing housing over end of
dimmer switch actuator rod. Rotate housing counterclockwise to
assemble. Holding lock shoes in disengaged position, assemble bearing
housing over steering shaft until pivot holes line up with holes in
support.
11) Install pivot pins. Assemble as far as possible, using
palm pressure of hand to prevent enlarging support pivot hole. Using a
small hammer and punch, tap pins into place. Replace wiper/washer
pivot assembly. Press pivot pin in cover (if removed). Check pivot
assembly for ease of movement.
12) If movement is restricted, tap other end of pin for
clearance. Install wiper/washer switch. Replace tilt lever opening
shield in cover (if removed). Position cap over dimmer switch actuator\
rod. Guide end of actuator rod into pivot slot during cover assembly.
Hold cap so that cover will slide over it.
13) Place housing in full upward position. Ensure there is
grease between guide and peg on support, tilt spring and tilt spring
retainer. Install guide. Using a screwdriver in retaining slot, turn
retainer clockwise to engage. Install bearing inner race and seat.
14) Install lock housing cover. Tighten 3 screws to 100 INCH
lbs. (11 N.m). Assemble key warning switch to spring clip with formed
end of clip under end of switch and with spring bowed away from switch
on side opposite contact. Push switch and spring into hole in lock
housing cover with contacts facing lock cylinder bore.
15) Install key light (if equipped). Install turn signal
switch wires and connector through cover, bearing housing and shift
bowl. Push in hazard plunger. Install turn signal switch. Tighten
screws to 25 INCH lbs. (3 N.m). Install hazard warning knob and screw.\
Pull knob out.
16) Install canceling cam spring, canceling cam (carrier
assembly) and lock plate. Using Lock Plate Depressor (J-23653-A for
Jeep), depress lock plate. See Fig. 12. Install a new retaining ring.
Install tilt release lever (if removed). Install turn signal switch
lever.
Fig. 12: Installing Lock Plate Retaining Ring

17) Install ignition lock. Turn key to "LOCK" position.
Remove key. Insert cylinder into housing far enough to contact shaft.
Press inward while moving ignition switch actuator rod up and down to
align parts.
18) When parts align, cylinder will move inward and a spring
loaded retainer will snap into place locking cylinder in housing. To
replace ignition switch, position key cylinder in "LOCK" position.
Remove key. Place ignition switch in "LOCK" position (second detent
from bottom).
19) Fit ignition switch actuator rod into slider hole.
Loosely install on column with 2 screws. Push switch lightly toward
lock housing to take out slack in actuator rod. Tighten screws to 34
INCH lbs. (4 N.m). DO NOT move switch out of detent position.
20) Install dimmer switch by firmly seating push rod into
switch. Compress switch until 2 (.093") drill bit shanks can be
inserted into alignment holes. Reposition upper end of push rod in
pocket of wiper/washer switch. Remove lower column cover (if
necessary).
21) With a light upward pressure on switch, install 2 screws.
Remove drill bits. Switch should click when lever is lifted and again
as lever returns, just before it reaches lower stop. Install wire
protector over wires on column jacket, being careful not to pinch
wires.
22) Remove column from vise. Position lower bracket assembly
on steering column. Install 2 bolts. Tighten to 105 INCH lbs. (12 N.
m). Aligning master splines, install coupling assembly on steering
shaft. Support coupling under joint. Drive in roll pin.
NOTE: DO NOT remove bearings from housing unless they are to be
replaced. Install new bearings if bearings are removed from
housing. Never reuse old bearings.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS TABLE








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Application Ft. Lbs. (N.m)
Flexible Coupling Bolts .......................... 17 (23)
Steering Wheel Retaining Nut ..................... 45 (61)
Support Plate Bolts .............................. 17 (23)
INCH Lbs. (N.m)
Bearing Housing-to-Lock Housing Screws ............ 35 (4)
Bracket-to-Column Bolt .......................... 124 (14)
Column Clamp Stud ................................. 20 (2)
Column Clamp Stud Nut ........................... 106 (12)
Hazard Switch ..................................... 27 (3)
Housing Cover Screws ............................ 100 (11)
Ignition Switch Screws ............................ 35 (4)
Lock Housing-to-Jacket ........................... 90 (10)
Shift Tube Support Screws ......................... 60 (7)
Steering Column Lower Bracket Bolts ............. 106 (12)
Tilt Release Spring Retaining Screw ............... 35 (4)
Turn Signal Retaining Plate ....................... 27 (3)
Upper Bracket Nuts .............................. 106 (12)









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\003
STE ER IN G G EA R - M AN UAL

1988 J e ep C hero ke e
1988 STEERING
Jeep Manual Steering Gears
Koyo & Saginaw Recirculating Ball
Cherokee, Comanche, Wrangler
DESCRIPTION
Jeep uses the Saginaw steering gear unit. Different models
are used. The Model 525 uses 3 bolts in the side cover while the Model
535 uses 4 bolts.
Steering gears are a recirculating ball-type. Proper
engagement between sector and ball nut is obtained by adjusting screw.
Worm bearing adjuster can be turned to provide proper preloading of
upper and lower bearings.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
Refer to TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in the
GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING section.
ADJUSTMENTS
NOTE: Adjust worm bearing preload prior to performing meshload
adjustment. If steering gear is removed, install INCH lb.
torque wrench on worm shaft to check preload adjustments.
WORM BEARING PRELOAD
1) Place reference mark on pitman arm and sector shaft.
Remove pitman arm retaining nut. Using puller, remove pitman arm from
sector shaft.
2) Disconnect pitman arm from ball stud or sector shaft.
3) Remove horn pad. Turn steering wheel slowly against one
stop then back 1/2 turn. Place an INCH-lb. torque wrench with a
maximum reading of 50 INCH lbs. (6 N.m) on steering wheel nut.
4) Measure amount of torque (preload) required to rotate
steering wheel at a constant speed for approximately 1 1/2 turns on
Ford Motor Co. models or 90 degree arc on all others.
5) Note preload. Adjust preload if not within specification.
See WORM BEARING PRELOAD table. Adjust preload by loosening lock nut
(if not previously loosened) and rotating worm bearing adjuster to
obtain correct preload.
6) Once correct preload is obtained, tighten lock nut to
specification. Perform meshload adjustment once correct preload is
obtained.
WORM BEARING PRELOAD TABLE









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Application INCH Lbs. (N.m)
Cherokee, Comanche & Wrangler ................ 5-8 (.6-.9)









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MESHLOAD ADJUSTMENT
1) Rotate steering wheel from stop-to-stop, noting the number
of revolutions. Rotate steering wheel back to the center position.