1988 JEEP CHEROKEE lock

STE ER IN G C O LU M N

1988 J e ep C hero ke e
1988 STEERING
Jeep Steering Columns
All Models
DESCRIPTION
All models use collapsible steering columns. All columns have
integral ignition switch and locking device. Optional tilt wheel is
available with both A/T and M/T. Transmission shift linkage is
integral on all models except those with floor shift.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
Refer to TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in the
GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING section.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
NOTE: Steering column removal and installation procedures refer to
all manufacturers. Not all procedures, however, apply to all
models.
STEERING COLUMN (COLUMN SHIFT)
Removal
1) Disconnect battery negative cable. Disconnect transmission
shift cable rod by prying rod from grommet in shift lever. Remove
cable clip. Remove cable from lower bracket.
2) Disconnect, as equipped, either the flexible coupling,
"Pot" coupling or "U" joint from pinion shaft.
3) Disconnect wiring connectors at column jacket. Remove
steering wheel and horn pad. See STEERING WHEEL & HORN REMOVAL
article. Remove damper assembly (if equipped). On RWD models, remove
turn signal lever.
4) On all models, remove steering column-to-floor pan
attaching screws. Expose steering column bracket. Remove instrument
panel steering column cover. Lower reinforcement. Disconnect bezel.
Remove indicator set screw and gearshift pointer from shift housing.
5) Remove steering column bracket-to-instrument panel
attaching nuts. Lower support bracket. Firmly grasp steering column
assembly and pull rearward while disconnecting lower stub shaft from
pinion shaft coupling.
NOTE: On vehicles equipped with cruise control and M/T, take care
not to damage clutch pedal cruise control switch.

Fig. 1: Exploded View of RWD Steering Column Major Assemblies
Installation
1) On all models, aligning lower shaft with lower coupling
and insert shaft. Raise column assembly into position onto studs.
Loosely install nuts and washers in breakaway capsules. Pull column
rearward. Tighten nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
2) Install a new shift lever grommet using pliers and back-up
washer to snap the grommet into place. Use a multipurpose grease to
aid installation.
3) Connect gearshift cable rod to shift lever by snapping rod
into grommet with pliers. Adjust linkage. Place steering wheel on
shaft with master splines aligned. Place damper assembly inside
steering wheel (if equipped). Install steering wheel retaining nut.
Tighten to 45 ft. lbs. (61 N.m).
4) Install horn pad assembly. Refer to procedures in the
STEERING WHEEL & HORN REMOVAL article. Connect wiring connectors at
steering column jacket. Connect battery negative cable. Test operation
of lights and horn.
5) On models with A/T, install gearshift indicator pointer.
Slowly move gearshift lever from "LOW" position to "PARK" position,
pausing briefly at each selector position. Loosen and readjust to
align pointer with each position (if necessary). Install instrument
panel steering column cover.
STEERING COLUMN (FLOOR SHIFT)
The steering column with a floor mounted gearshift is
basically the same as previously described. Standard columns and
service procedures are identical except as described below.
* In place of rotating shift housing, there is a plastic shroud
which is fixed to lock housing. Shroud covers jacket and lock
inhibitor assembly. It is held in place by a tab that fits
under side cover and one screw. Shroud can only be replaced
by removing lock housing from jacket.

* The lock inhibitor assembly consists of a lever that engages
lock levers (preventing locking of steering shaft), a button
to operate lever and a return spring. Assembly is attached to
lock housing in same location as shift gate is on column
shift. Lower steering shaft bearing is mounted in an aluminum
support.
* A spring is attached between shift housing and column jacket.
This spring keeps housing rotated counterclockwise against
rubber bumper.
OVERHAUL
STANDARD COLUMN
NOTE: All columns are similar except for appearance of covers.
Some models use ignition key light, while others do not.
Disassembly and reassembly procedures cover all models. Some
procedures may not apply to every steering column.
Disassembly
1) Pry out wiring trough retainers. Lift off trough. New
retainers may be required for reassembly. Use masking tape to protect
paint and a deep socket to back-up housing. Drive retaining roll pin
out with a punch to remove shift lever.
2) Remove breakaway capsules. Secure column in vise by
clamping at column bracket. DO NOT distort column. Remove turn signal
lever cover-to-lock housing attaching screws. Remove cover. Remove
wiper/washer switch assembly. Pull switch cover up wiper/washer lever.
Remove lever sleeve-to-switch attaching screws.
3) Rotate wiper/washer shaft to full clockwise position.
Remove shaft from switch. Remove turn signal switch and upper bearing
retaining screws. Remove retainer. Lift switch upward out of way.
Unclip horn ground wire. Remove ignition key light retaining screw.
Lift ignition key light out of way.
4) Remove bearing housing-to-lock attaching screws. Remove
snap ring from upper end of steering shaft. Remove bearing housing
from shaft. Remove lock plate spring and lock plate from shaft. Remove
shaft through lower end of column.
5) Remove ignition key. Remove warning switch retaining
screw. Lift out key warning switch. Remove 2 ignition switch-to-column
jacket retaining screws. See Fig. 2. Remove ignition switch by
rotating switch 90 degrees on actuator rod. Remove 2 dimmer switch
retaining screws. Disengage dimmer switch from rod.

Fig. 2: Removing Ignition Switch
6) Remove bellcrank mounting screws. Slide bellcrank up in
housing until it can be disconnected from ignition switch rod. Using
key, place cylinder in "LOCK" position. Remove key.
7) Using a small diameter screwdriver or similar tool, push
inward to release spring-loaded lock retainer while pulling lock
cylinder from housing bore. Pull lock lever and spring assembly out of
housing as an assembly.
8) Remove 4 lock housing-to-column jacket retaining screws.
Remove housing from jacket. On A/T models, loosen shift tube set screw
in shaft housing. On all models, using Shift Tube Remover (J-23072 for
Jeep), remove tube through lower end of jacket. See
Fig. 3.
9) To disassemble flexible coupling, remove 4 bolts and 2
cross straps. Remove flexible coupling. "Pot" coupling is removed by
prying cover tangs from coupling body and lifting seal and cover from
body. Drive dowel pin down into coupling. Discard "Pot" coupling. Pull
body off shaft and shoe assembly.

Fig. 3: Removing Shift Tube
Fig. 4: Removing Lock Cylinder
Reassembly
1) Coat all friction surfaces with grease. Clamp column in
vise so that both ends of column are accessible. Check column tube-to-

mandrel rivets for tightness.
2) Use new 1/8" diameter by 1/4" long (1/8" grip) aluminum
blind rivets (if necessary). DO NOT use steel rivets as rivets must
shear upon impact. Position crossover load spring and shift lever in
gearshift housing. Tap pivot pin into place. See Fig. 5.
Fig. 5: Installing Column Shift Lever
Courtesy of Chrysler Motors
3) Assemble key cylinder plunger spring. Install assembly on
lock housing. Install shift lever gate on lock housing. Place shift
lever in mid position (if equipped). Seat lock housing on top of
jacket by aligning keyway in housing with slot in jacket. Install
housing-to-jacket screws. Tighten alternately to 90 INCH lbs. (10 N.
m).
4) Install dimmer switch rod by firmly pushing 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). Remove drill bits.
5) Switch should click when lever is lifted and again as
lever returns, just before it reaches stop in down position. Grease
and assemble 2 lock levers, lock lever spring and pin. See Fig. 6.
Install assembly into lock housing. Seat pin firmly in bottom of
slots. Ensure that lock lever spring leg is firmly in place in lock
casting notch. See Fig. 7.

Fig. 6: Assembling Lock Lever & Spring Assembly
Fig. 7: Installing Lock Lever & Spring Assembly
6) Install ignition switch actuator rod from bottom through
oblong hole in lock housing. Attach rod to bellcrank. Position
bellcrank assembly into lock housing while pulling ignition switch and

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).