CJ5 several steering column problems

[MoparJoel]

So today I was going to a Jeep show in my 77 CJ5 , went to turn the key over and it was free spinning the tumbler. so I disassembled the whole wheel and got the tumbler lock out and replaced it with a new one. but that didn't fix it.

So I looked down the whole where the tumbler goes and the rack/sector gear the tumbler driver is broken. So to get it out I started to disassemble the whole column now where one problem occurs is all the bolts are out and i can't separate the outer column from the center shaft its loose as hell but i can't pull it out its hanging on something and i can't see what. does anyone know what I'm missing…

also when i moved the column it turns out my top shaft bearing fell to pieces when i moved it so that is going to have to be replaced along with the rack and sector gear. but first I need to find out how to remove the column to get to the rack and gear. Column is non-tilt floor shift.

 

[Only in a Jeep CJ]

Wow, I'm sorry, but I laughed when I saw all the ball bearings on the floor. Your in for a job now.

Be glad you have the non tilt as the tilt is twice as hard to rebuild fully.

First, you need to leave the column together and bolted in place so that you have the needed resistance of the column in place when you separate the upper steering shaft joint (located under the brake master). The bolt must be removed (not just loosened). spray with break-free or the like. I use a pickle fork placed in at 90 degrees with the edges of the fork resting on the top of the joint. I use a mini sledge and a few whacks will drive it down the splines. If it doesn't come off all the way, that's fine as it will be real close. Now, you remove the two firewall plates and the main hanger bolts. Don't forget the turn and ignition harnesses. It has 3 locking tabs and the black plug comes off first as the clear plug has a tab under the black one.

With the column out and on a table or work bench, you can access the all the parts. The rack gear is plastic and looks to have two missing teeth. IF you find all the bearings, maybe you can used grease to hold them in while you re-stack everything,

 

[GARGOYLEJEEPER]

You need to reach in with long pinch nose pliers, your wire spring is caught in there, your bearings fell apart due to lack of grease, and at least they fell in a clean place. Then you will have to manhandle the top housing to remove, it has never been apart. On reassembly allot of grease on bearing a little on the gears & rack and flat tension spring. And while it is apart take out lower bearing and re lube, PWA (paint while apart) and reassemble and now you can tell everyone you rebuilt it.