1994 JEEP CHEROKEE torque

(2) Wrap a single layer of plastic tape around the
pitman shaft threads and splines. This will protect
the replacement seals during installation.
(3) Install the seal with a suitable size socket.
(4) Remove the tape from the shaft.
(5) Center the steering gear.
(6) Align and install the pitman arm.
(7) Install the washer and retaining nut on the pit-
man shaft. Tighten the nut to 251 Nb1m (185 ft. lbs.)
torque.
GEAR ADJUSTMENTS IN VEHICLE
REMOVE
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Mark the pitman shaft and pitman arm for in-
stallation reference. Remove the pitman arm from
the shaft.
(3) Loosen the adjuster lock nut then back the ad-
juster plug off 1/4 turn.
(4) Remove the steering wheel horn pad.
(5) Turn the steering wheel in one direction until
stopped by the gear. Then turn back 1/2 turn.
CAUTION: Do not turn the steering wheel hard
against the internal stops when the linkage is re-
moved. This could result in damage to the recircu-
lating ball guides.
MEASURE
Place a low calibration (50 in. lbs.) torque wrench
and socket on the steering wheel nut. Rotate the
wrench and nut through a 90 degree arc (1/4 turn).
This will measure the worm shaft bearing preload.
ADJUST WORMSHAFT BEARING PRELOAD
TORQUE
(1) Adjust the preload by tightening the adjuster
plug. The preload should be 0.6 to 1 Nzm(5to8in.
lbs.) torque.
Steering column/shaft misalignment or damage will
increase the amount of torque required to rotate the
steering wheel. If the rotating torque is exceptionally
high, inspect the steering column/shaft alignment. If
the alignment is correct, remove the steering gear,
determine the cause of the high preload torque, and
repair as necessary.
(2) Tighten the adjuster locknut to 68 Nzm (50 ft.
lbs.) torque. Measure the preload torque. If neces-
sary, adjust the preload torque again.
ADJUST OVERCENTER DRAG TORQUE
(1) Turn the steering wheel from one stop to the
other and count the total numbers of turns. Turn the
wheel back in reverse direction 1/2 the total number
of turns to center the steering gear.
(2) Turn the over center adjusting screw in to re-
move all lash between the ball nut and pitman shaftsector teeth. Hold the adjustment screw and tighten
the lock nut to 34 Nzm (25 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Check the torque at the steering wheel by tak-
ing the highest reading as the wheel is turned
through the center position.
(4) The overcenter drag torque should be 0.5 to 1
Nzm (4 to 10 in. lbs.).
(5) If necessary, loosen the lock nut and adjust the
over center adjuster screw to obtain the proper
torque. Re-tighten the lock nut to the lock nut.
(6) After tightening the locknut, measure the over-
center drag torque again and readjust the torque, if
necessary.
INSTALL
(1) Align the installation reference marks and in-
stall the pitman arm.
(2) Install and tighten the pitman shaft nut and
washer to 251 Nzm (185 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Install the horn button.
GEAR DISASSEMBLY
(1) Rotate the wormshaft from stop-to-stop and
count the number of rotations. Rotate the wormshaft
in the reverse direction 1/2 of the total number of ro-
tations to center it and the ball nut.
(2) Remove the pitman shaft adjustment screw
locknut. Remove the cover retaining bolts, cover, and
gasket (Fig. 3).
(3) Slide the adjustment screw head (Fig. 3) out of
the pitman shaft T-slot and remove it and the
shim(s).
(4) Retain the shim(s) for end-play measurement
during assembly.
(5) Remove the pitman shaft, the wormshaft bear-
ing preload torque adjustment cap locknut, and the
adjustment cap (Fig. 2).
(6) Remove the wormshaft and the ball nut (Fig.
2).
(7) Remove (pry) the pitman shaft and the worm-
shaft seals from the steering gear housing (Fig. 3).
WORMSHAFT AND BALL NUT DISASSEMBLY
(1) Remove the upper bearing from the wormshaft
(Fig. 2).
CAUTION: Do not allow the ball nut to rotate freely
and travel to either extreme end of the wormshaft.
This could damage the tangs at the ends of the re-
circulating ball guides (Fig. 3).
(2) Remove the recirculating ball guide clamp re-
taining screws, the clamp and the guides (Fig. 2).
Separate the half-guides and place the recirculating
balls aside in a container.
(3) Hold the ball nut over a cloth. Remove the re-
maining recirculating balls by rotating the worm-
shaft back and forth.
JSTEERING 19 - 37

There are a total of 50 recirculating balls
within the ball nut and the guides (25 in each
circuit).
(4) Remove the wormshaft from the ball nut (Fig.
2).
CLEANING AND INSPECTION
(1) Clean all the components in a cleaning solvent
and dry them with a clean cloth and/or compressed
air.
(2) Inspect each component for wear, scoring,
cracks, nicks and surface pitting. Replace as neces-
sary.
WORMSHAFT AND BALL NUT ASSEMBLY
CAUTION: The ball nut teeth are wider and deeper
on one side than on the other.
(1) Position the ball nut with the recirculating ball
guide holes facing upward and the ball nut teeth fac-
ing downward. Install the wormshaft in the ball nut.
Rotate the shaft and thread it into the nut until an
equal number of shaft threads are visible at each end
of the nut (Fig. 4).
(2) Install one recirculating ball in each ball guide
hole. Move the wormshaft up/down and side-to-side
until the balls roll into the ball nut threads at the
bottom of wormshaft and support the wormshaft.
(3) Assemble and install the ball guides in the ball
nut (Fig. 5).
(4) Divide the remaining 48 recirculating balls into
two groups and install 24 balls in each ball nut cir-
cuit. Insert the balls in the ball nut circuits through
the holes in the ball guides (Fig. 5).To aid the recirculating ball installation, ro-
tate wormshaft back and forth slightly while in-
serting the balls.
(5) Place the ball guide clamp on the ball nut and
install the clamp retaining screws. Tighten the
screws to 14 Nzm (10 ft. lbs.) torque.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the tangs on the ball
guide ends, do not allow the wormshaft to travel to
the end of the thread in either direction.
(6) Lubricate the wormshaft threads with chassis
lubricant. Rotate the shaft to move it in and out of
the ball nut and distribute the lubricant.
Fig. 3 Shaft Seal RemovalFig. 4 Wormshaft & Ball Nut
Fig. 5 Recirculating Ball Installation
JSTEERING 19 - 39

(7) Install the locknut on the wormshaft bearing
adjustment cap but do not tighten it at this time.
(8) Pack the steering gear housing with as much
chassis lubricant as possible.
Rotate the wormshaft in one direction until
the ball nut ceases. Pack the end of the housing
full of lubricant, rotate the shaft in the opposite
direction and repeat the packing procedure.
(9) Place the ball nut (Fig. 12) in the centered po-
sition, rotate the wormshaft from stop-to-stop and
count the number of rotations. Rotate wormshaft in
the reverse direction 1/2 of the number of rotations to
center the ball nut.
(10) Lubricate the pitman shaft with chassis lubri-
cant and insert it in the steering gear housing. En-
gage the center tooth on the shaft with the center
groove on the ball nut.
(11) Apply chassis lubricant to the replacement
housing cover gasket. Position it so that it surrounds
the housing cover opening.
(12) Place the shim(s) on the adjustment screw
and thread the screw into the cover to a depth of 2 to
3 threads.
(13) Slide the head of the adjustment screw into
the pitman shaft T-slot. With the cover in place, ro-
tate the screw counterclockwise to thread it into the
cover. Rotate the screw until the cover almost comes
in contact with the gasket.
(14) Install the cover retaining bolts finger tight
only. Continue tightening the adjustment screw coun-
terclockwise until cover is tight against the gasket,
then loosen the screw 1/2 rotation.
(15) Tighten the cover bolts to 61 Nzm (45 ft. lbs.)
torque.(16) Install the pitman shaft seal, refer to the re-
placement procedure.
(17) Rotate the wormshaft and observe the steer-
ing gear operation. With the adjustment screw and
cap loose, the wormshaft should rotate freely and not
bind. If the steering gear binds, repair as necessary.
(18) Inspect for lubricant leakage from the shaft
seals. If there is a leak at either seal, replace the de-
fective seal(s).
GEAR ADJUSTMENTS ON BENCH
WORM BEARING PRELOAD
(1) Tighten the worm bearing adjuster plug until it
bottoms, then loosen 1/4 turn.
(2) Carefully turn the wormshaft all the way to the
end of travel, then turn back 1/2 turn.
(3) Tighten adjuster plug until torque wrench indi-
cates 0.6 to 1.0 Nzm (5 to 8 in. lbs.) torque (Fig. 13).
(4) Tighten the adjuster plug locknut to 68 Nzm (50
ft. lbs.) torque.
OVER-CENTER PRELOAD
(1) Back off preload adjuster until it stops, then
turn it in one full turn.
(2) With gear at center of travel, check torque to
turn stub shaft. This will be reading #1 (Fig. 14).
(3) Turn adjuster in until torque to turn stub shaft
is 0.5 to 1 Nzm (4 to 10 in. lbs.) more than reading
#1.
(4) Hold pitman shaft adjustment screw and
tighten adjuster lock nut to 34 Nzm (25 ft. lbs.)
torque.
Fig. 12 Pitman Shaft & Ball Nut Engagement
Fig. 13 Worm Bearing Preload Adjustment
19 - 42 STEERINGJ

INTERMEDIATE (COUPLER) SHAFT
REMOVAL
(1) Place the front wheels in the straight ahead po-
sition.
(2) Remove the shaft pinch bolt at the steering
gear and column (Fig. 15, 16). Un-bolt steering gear
from frame rail to remove shaft. Refer to Steering
Gear Replacement in this section.
INSTALLATION
(1) Align the intermediate (coupler) shaft to the
steering gear and column.
(2) Position the steering gear on the frame. Refer
to Steering Gear Replacement in this section.
(3) Install and tighten the pinch bolts to 34 Nzm
(25 ft. lbs.) torque.
STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT
REMOVAL
(1) Place the front wheels in the straight ahead po-
sition with the steering wheel centered.
(2) Remove the column coupler shaft from the gear.
Refer to the removal procedures in this section.
(3) Remove pitman arm from gear. Refer to Pitman
Arm Removal in the Steering Linkage section.
(4) Remove the steering gear retaining bolts and
nuts. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle (Fig.
17, 18).
Fig. 14 Over-center Adjustment
Fig. 15 Coupler ShaftÐXJ
Fig. 16 Coupler ShaftÐYJ
JSTEERING 19 - 43

INSTALLATION
(1) Align the column coupler shaft to steering gear.
Refer to Column Coupler installation in this section.
(2) Position the steering gear (and bracket) on the
frame rail and install the bolts.
²XJÐTighten the bolts to 95 Nzm (70 ft. lbs.)
torque.
²YJÐTighten the bolts to 105 Nzm (78 ft. lbs.)
torque.
(3) Align and install the pitman arm. Refer to Pit-
man Arm Installation in the Steering Linkage sec-
tion.
Fig. 17 Steering Gear MountingÐXJ
Fig. 18 Steering Gear MountingÐYJ
MANUAL STEERING GEAR SPECIFICATIONS
19 - 44 STEERINGJ

STEERING COLUMN GENERAL SERVICE
INDEX
page page
Column ReplacementÐXJ.................. 46
Column ReplacementÐYJ.................. 48
Park-Lock CableÐConsole Shift Automatic..... 45Service Information....................... 45
Steering Wheel.......................... 45
SERVICE INFORMATION
The column may be disassembled and reassembled.
Also most steering column components can be ser-
viced without removing the column from the vehicle.
For additional information, refer to Group 8H, Elec-
trical.
CAUTION: Bumping, jolting and hammering on the
steering column shaft and gear shift tube must be
avoided during all service procedures.
CAUTION: Disconnect negative (ground) cable from
the battery before servicing any component on the
column.
Safety goggles should be worn at all times
when involved with steering column service.
STEERING WHEEL
REMOVAL
(1) Make sure the front wheels are in thestraight
aheadposition.
(2) Disconnect the negative (ground) cable from the
battery.
(3) Remove the horn contact components (Fig. 1).
(4) Remove the steering wheel retaining nut and
the vibration dampener, if equipped. Score or paint
alignment marks on the column shaft and steering
wheel (if none exist) for installation reference.
(5) Remove the steering wheel with Puller 7591 (J-
21232-01) (Fig. 2).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the steering wheel with the scored or
painted marks aligned.
(2) Install the retaining nut and tighten to 34 Nzm
(25 ft. lbs.) torque.Force the steering wheel down
on the shaft with the retaining nut only.
(3) Install the horn contact components (Fig. 1).
(4) Connect the battery ground (negative) cable.
PARK-LOCK CABLEÐCONSOLE SHIFT AUTOMATIC
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the battery negative cable.
(2) Remove the lower portion of the instrument
panel, refer to Group 8E, Instrument Panel.
Fig. 1 Horn Pad Removal/Installation
Fig. 2 Steering Wheel Removal
JSTEERING 19 - 45

(11) Disconnect the following items from the steer-
ing column connectors:
²Ignition switch wire harness
²Dimmer switch wire harness
²Turn signal switch wire harness
²Windshield wiper wire harness
²Cruise control wire harness (if equipped)
²Park-lock cable (if equipped)
(12) Remove the bolts that attach the toe plate to
the floor pan (Fig. 9).
(13) Carefully remove column from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Bumping, jolting and hammering on the
steering column shaft and gear shift tube must be
avoided during all service procedures.
(1) Carefully position column in vehicle.
(2) Align the column shaft to steering gear cou-
pling. Install and tighten the bolt to 34 Nzm (25 ft.
lbs.) torque.
(3) As applicable, connect the following items to
the steering column connectors:
²Ignition switch wire harness
²Dimmer switch wire harness
²Turn signal switch wire harness
²Windshield wiper wire harness
²Cruise control wire harness (if equipped)
²Park-lock cable (if equipped)
(4) Install the support bracket on the column and
tighten the bolts to 20 Nzm (180 in. lbs.) torque.
(5) Raise the column up to the brake sled studs.
Connect the brace to the column stud.
(6) Install and tighten the column to brake sled
nuts to 30 Nzm (22 ft. lbs.) torque.
(7) Column shift vehicles, install the shift cable
grommet on the shift lever.
(8) Install and tighten the toe plate-to-floor pan
bolts to 8 Nzm (66 in. lbs.) torque.(9) Column shift vehicles, install the shift indicator
cable on the shift housing. Check operation.
(10) Install the lower portion of the instrument
panel, refer to Group 8E, Instrument Panel.
(11) Install steering wheel on column, refer to
Steering Wheel-Installation.
(12) Connect the negative (ground) cable to the
battery.
COLUMN REPLACEMENTÐYJ
REMOVAL
CAUTION: Bumping, jolting and hammering on the
steering column shaft and gear shift tube must be
avoided during all service procedures.
(1) Make sure the front wheels are in thestraight
aheadposition.
(2) Disconnect the negative (ground) cable from the
battery.
(3) Remove steering wheel from column, refer to
Steering Wheel-Removal.
(4) Column shift vehicles, disconnect the shift ca-
ble grommet by prying it from the shift lever.
(5) Disconnect the column shaft to steering gear
coupler upper bolt (Fig. 10).
(6) Remove the lower portion of the instrument
panel, refer to Group 8E, Instrument Panel.
(7) Remove two nuts holding steering column
bracket to brake sled (Fig. 11).
(8) Remove four bolts holding steering column
bracket to column.
(9) Disconnect the following items from the steer-
ing column connectors:
²Ignition switch wire harness
²Dimmer switch wire harness
²Turn signal switch wire harness
²Windshield wiper wire harness
²Cruise control wire harness (if equipped)
Fig. 9 Steering Column Mounting
Fig. 10 Column Shaft Coupler
19 - 48 STEERINGJ

(10) Remove the bolts that attach the toe plate to
the floor pan (Fig. 12).
(11) Carefully remove column from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Bumping, jolting and hammering on the
steering column shaft and gear shift tube must be
avoided during all service procedures.
(1) Carefully position column in vehicle.
(2) Align the column shaft to steering gear cou-
pling. Install and tighten the bolt to 34 Nzm (25 ft.
lbs.) torque.
(3) As applicable, connect the following items to
the steering column connectors:
²Ignition switch wire harness
²Dimmer switch wire harness²Turn signal switch wire harness
²Windshield wiper wire harness
²Cruise control wire harness (if equipped)
(4) Install the support bracket on the column (Fig.
11) and tighten the bolts to 30 Nzm (270 in. lbs.)
torque.
(5) Install and tighten the column to brake sled
bolts (Fig. 11) to 30 Nzm (270 in. lbs.) torque.
(6) Column shift vehicles, install the shift cable
grommet on the shift lever.
(7) Install and tighten the toe plate to floor pan
bolts/nuts to 21.5 Nzm (192 in. lbs.) torque (Fig. 12).
(8) Install the lower portion of the instrument
panel, refer to Group 8E, Instrument Panel.
(9) Install steering wheel on column, refer to Steer-
ing Wheel-Installation.
(10) Connect the negative (ground) cable to the
battery.
Fig. 11 Column BracketFig. 12 Steering Column Mounting
JSTEERING 19 - 49