STEERING LINKAGEÐYJ
INDEX
page page
Drag Link............................... 20
Pitman Arm.............................. 20
Service Information........................ 19Steering Damper.......................... 20
TieRod ................................ 19
SERVICE INFORMATION
The steering linkage consists of a pitman arm, drag
link, tie rod, and steering damper. Adjustment
sleeves are used on the tie rod and drag link for toe
and steering wheel alignment.
Refer to Group 2, Front Suspension and Axle for
additional information.The tie-rod end ball stud seals should be inspected
during all oil changes.
A damaged ball stud seal requires removal of the
seal. Inspect the tie-rod end ball stud at the throat
opening. Check for lubricant loss, contamination, ball
stud wear or corrosion. If these conditions exist, re-
place the tie-rod. A replacement seal can be installed
if lubricant is in good condition. Otherwise, a com-
plete replacement ball stud end should be installed.
Lubricate the tie-rod end with MOPARtMulti-Mile-
age Lubricant, or equivalent product.
Use Puller C-3894-A for tie rod removal. Fail-
ure to use this tool could damage the ball stud
and seal (Fig. 1).
TIE ROD
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the cotter pins and nuts at the steering
knuckles and drag link (Fig. 2). Remove the steering
damper from the tie rod.
(2) Loosen the ball studs with a puller tool to re-
move the tie rod.
Fig. 1 Ball Stud Removal
Fig. 2 Steering Linkage
JSTEERING 19 - 19
RECIRCULATING BALL POWER STEERING GEAR
INDEX
page page
Adjuster Plug Assembly Replacement.......... 29
Check Valve Replacement................... 35
Gear Disassembly Information................ 26
Housing End Plug......................... 28
IntermediateÐCoupling Shaft................ 23
Pitman Shaft and Side Cover Replacement...... 28
Pitman Shaft Seals and Bearing Replacement.... 34Pitman Shaft SealsÐIn Car Replacement....... 23
Rack Piston and Worm Shaft Replacement...... 32
Service Information........................ 21
Steering Gear Adjustments.................. 24
Steering Gear Replacement................. 23
Valve Replacement........................ 30
SERVICE INFORMATION
A recirculating-ball steering gear is used with the
power (assisted) steering system (Fig. 1). The power
steering gear can be adjusted and internally serviced.
Discard all O-ring seals during disassembly,
they are not re-usable.Safety goggles should be worn at all times
when involved with power steering gear or
pump service.
JSTEERING 19 - 21
(5) Remove the steering gear retaining bolts and
nuts. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle (Fig.
6, 7).
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.(4) Connect fluid hoses to steering gear. Refer to
Pressure and Return Hose Replacement in this
Group.
STEERING GEAR ADJUSTMENTS
SERVICE INFORMATION
Adjusting the steering gear in the vehicle isNOT
recommended. Remove the gear from the vehicle and
mount in a vise. Drain the power steering fluid and
make the following adjustments in this order:
²FIRST - worm thrust bearing preload
Fig. 4 Coupler ShaftÐXJ
Fig. 5 Coupler ShaftÐYJ
Fig. 6 Steering Gear MountingÐXJ
Fig. 7 Steering Gear MountingÐYJ
19 - 24 STEERINGJ
STEERING COLUMN GENERAL SERVICEÐXJ
INDEX
page
Airbag System........................... 47
AIRBAG SYSTEM
WARNING: THE MECHANICAL AIRBAG SYSTEM IS
A SENSITIVE, COMPLEX MECHANICAL UNIT. BE-
FORE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE OR INSTALL THE
AIRBAG SYSTEM OR RELATED STEERING WHEEL
AND STEERING COLUMN COMPONENTS YOU
MUST FIRST DISARM THE AIRBAG FIRING MECHA-
NISM. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN AC-
CIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE INJURY.
WARNING: THE AIRBAG MODULE INFLATOR/SEN-
SOR ASSEMBLY CONTAINS SODIUM AZIDE AND
POTASSIUM NITRATE. THESE MATERIALS ARE
POISONOUS AND EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. CON-
TACT WITH ACID, WATER OR HEAVY METALS MAY
PRODUCE HARMFUL AND IRRITATING GASES (SO-
DIUM HYDROXIDE IS FORMED IN THE PRESENCE
OF MOISTURE) OR COMBUSTIBLE COMPOUNDS.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISMANTLE THE MODULE
OR TAMPER WITH ITS ARMING LEVER. DO NOT
PUNCTURE, INCINERATE, OR BRING INTO CON-
TACT WITH ELECTRICITY. DO NOT STORE AT TEM-
PERATURES EXCEEDING 200ÉF.WARNING: REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPO-
NENTS WITH PARTS SPECIFIED IN THE CHRYSLER
MOPAR PARTS CATALOG ONLY. IT IS OF PARTICU-
LAR IMPORTANCE THAT ANY COMPONENTS USED
IN THIS MECHANICALLY-FIRED AIRBAG SYSTEM
NOT BE MIXED WITH COMPONENTS FROM AN
ELECTRICALLY-FIRED AIRBAG SYSTEM. SUBSTI-
TUTE PARTS MAY APPEAR THE SAME, BUT INTER-
NAL DIFFERENCES MAY RESULT IN INFERIOR
OCCUPANT PROTECTION.
WARNING: THE FASTENERS, SCREWS, AND
BOLTS, ORIGINALLY USED FOR THE AIRBAG COM-
PONENTS, HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE
SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM. THEY MUST NEVER BE REPLACED WITH ANY
SUBSTITUTES. ANYTIME A NEW FASTENER IS
NEEDED, REPLACE WITH THE CORRECT FASTEN-
ERS PROVIDED IN THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR
SPECIFIED IN THE CHRYSLER MOPAR PARTS CAT-
ALOG.
JSTEERING 19 - 47
GENERAL INFORMATION
The airbag system is a standard equipment safety
device on XJ (Cherokee) models. It is designed to pro-
tect the driver from serious injury, caused by a fron-
tal impact of the vehicle. If the airbag module
assembly is defective and non-deployed, refer to
Chrysler Corporation current return list for proper
handling procedures.
ARMING/DISARMING MECHANISM
BEFORE SERVICING A COLUMN EQUIPPED
WITH AIR BAG, REFER TO GROUP 8M, ELEC-
TRICAL FOR PROPER AND SAFE PROCE-
DURES.
The steering wheel hub incorporates an airbag
Arming/Disarming mechanism and a specially de-
signed nut-blocker. The nut-blocker serves as a safety
to prevent removal of the airbag module until the
unit has been disarmed. A removable plastic cover
plug on the top, outer hub of the steering wheel al-
lows access to the arming screw.
When the airbag module is disarmed, the arming
screw extends upward from the steering wheel hub.
This will prevent installation of the plastic cover
plug. Also, the nut-blocker is retracted to allow ac-
cess to the two upper airbag module mounting nuts.
When the airbag module is armed, the plastic cover
plug will install flush with the outer surface of the
steering wheel hub. In addition, the nut-blocker will
prevent access to the two upper airbag module
mounting nuts.THE FASTENERS, SCREWS, AND BOLTS, ORIG-
INALLY USED FOR THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS,
HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS. THIS HARDWARE IS
SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIR BAG
SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER BE REPLACED
WITH ANY SUBSTITUTES. REPLACE WITH THE
CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED IN THE SER-
VICE PACKAGE OR FASTENERS IN THE PARTS
BOOK.
The Acustar columns (Fig. 1) have been designed to
be serviced as an assembly; less wiring, switches,
shrouds, steering wheel, etc. Most steering column
components can be serviced without removing the
column from the vehicle. For additional information
on electrical components refer to Group 8, Electrical.
CAUTION: Bumping, jolting and hammering on the
steering column shaft 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.
Fig. 1 Acustar Steering Column
19 - 48 STEERINGJ
(4) From the end of travel, rotate the rotor 2 1/2
full turns in the COUNTER CLOCKWISE direction.
The horn wire should end up at the top and the
squib wire at the bottom (Fig. 9).
(5) Install the steering wheel and air bag module,
refer to Steering Wheel Installation.
COLUMN ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT
CAUTION: Bumping, jolting and hammering on the
steering column shaft and gear shift tube must be
avoided during all service procedures.
REMOVAL
(1) Make sure the front wheels are in thestraight
aheadposition.
(2) Observe Cautions and disconnect the negative
(ground) cable from the battery.
(3) Disarm airbag, refer to Arming/Disarming Air-
bag in this section.
(4) Remove column coupler upper pinch bolt (Fig.
10).
(5) Remove steering wheel and airbag from col-
umn, refer to Steering Wheel-Removal and observe
Cautions/Warnings.
(6) Remove the knee blocker (Fig. 11).
(7) Remove relay box.
(8) Remove tilt lever (if equipped) from column.
(9) Remove the upper and lower steering column
shrouds (Fig. 8).
(10) Remove both pencil braces (fig. 12).
(11) Loosen the panel bracket nuts/studs to allow
the column to drop.
(12) Remove wiring harness connector (Fig. 15)
from the multi function switch.Note: Wiring har-
ness connector is retained to multi function
switch, using an attaching bolt with a 7mm hex
head. access to bolt is through rear of wiring
harness connector.(13) Remove the wiring harness from steering col-
umn (Fig. 16).
Fig. 10 Column Coupler Shaft
Fig. 11 Knee Blocker
Fig. 12 Steering Column Pencil Braces
Fig. 13 Clock Spring And Ignition Switch Wiring
Connections
19 - 52 STEERINGJ
(14) Remove the Interlock cable from the steering
column. Refer to Automatic Transmission Shifter/Ig-
nition Interlock in this group.
(15) Remove the column. Use care to avoid damag-
ing the paint or trim.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Bumping, jolting and hammering on the
steering column shaft and gear shift tube must be
avoided during all service procedures.
(1) With the front wheels in the straight ahead po-
sition. Align and install the column to coupler.Do
not apply force at the top of the steering col-
umn shaft.(2) Ensure the ground clip is on the left spacer slot
(Fig. 17).
(3) Install the Interlock cable from the steering col-
umn. Refer to Automatic Transmission Shifter/Igni-
tion Interlock in this group.
(4) Install wiring harness connections to steering
column (Fig. 16).Ensure the wiring is not pinched
and all connections are correctly locked in
place.
(5) Install wiring harness connector onto multi
function switch (Fig. 18). Torque multi function
switch wiring harness connector retaining bolt to 2
Nzm (17 in. lbs.).
(6) Install wiring harness connector for key light
switch connection, onto the ignition switch (Fig. 19).
Fig. 15 Multi Function Switch Wiring Connection
Fig. 16 Steering Column Wiring Harness
J9519-57
Fig. 14 Halo Light And Key In Buzzer Wiring
Connection
JSTEERING 19 - 53
(7) Install wiring harness connectors onto clock
spring and ignition switch assembly (Fig. 20).
(8) Install shaft coupler pinch bolt loose, load col-
umn up to panel bracket.(9) Be sure both spacers are fully seated in the col-
umn support bracket. Tighten the column panel
bracket support nuts to 12 Nzm (105 in. lbs.) torque.
(10) Tighten the coupler pinch bolt to 47 Nzm (35
ft. lbs.) torque.
(11) Install the upper and lower shrouds. Install
the tilt lever (if equipped).
(12) Install rely box.
(13) Install the knee blocker.
(14) Install the steering wheel, refer to Steering
Wheel Installation and observe cautions.
(15) Remove the column shaft shipping lock pin
(installed in service column).
(16) Arm airbag, refer to Arming/Disarming Airbag
in this section.
(17) Connect the battery ground (negative) cable.
COLUMN COMPONENT SERVICE
The Acustar columns have been designed to be ser-
viced as an assembly; less wiring, switches, shrouds,
steering wheel, etc. Also most steering column com-
ponents can be serviced without removing the col-
umn from the vehicle. For additional information on
electrical components refer to Group 8, Electrical.
IGNITION SWITCH SERVICE
TEST AND REPAIR
If the ignition switch effort seems to be excessive
due to binding. Follow the procedure outlined below
to determine the cause.
When service procedures are performed on the
Acustar steering column there are certain areas of
the column that can not be tampered with. If a prob-
lem related to these areas of the steering column are
detected. The entire steering column (less the remov-
able components) should be replaced see (Fig. 1 and
2).
Fig. 17 Ground Clip & Spacer Installation
Fig. 18 Multi Function Switch Wiring Harness
Connector Installed
Fig. 19 Wiring Harness Connection For Key Light
Switch
Fig. 20 Wiring Harness Connection To Clock Spring
And Ignition Switch
19 - 54 STEERINGJ