Removing a stock Steering Column

Hey all, I was hoping somebody can give me a pointer or two. I am removing the steering column and wondered how it pulls from the gear box? Does it just pull out? Seems like I would have to force it, I did loosen the u boltish bracket near the gear box on the column. Yes I did remove the bolts from the dash already, actually the dash as well. Thanks

 

Ok. I was hoping to get the Column out of the tub as I am going to pull the whole tub off to do work. I guess I could disconnect the box and keep the whole unit on the body but that will be problematic as I want to flip the tub upside down to do some work. Or do I remove the steering wheel and pull the tub up and over the whole shaft of the column? Jeeps are a bit new to me.

 

I pulled my tub off without removing the steering assy. I removed the two bolts with the slotted holes in the box and just loosened the third one to tilt the shaft and wheel down towards the floor. Raised the tub with a come-a-long hooked to an eye bolt that was screwed into the tub floor that was originally there for the seat belt. There is one that is very near center (between the seats) and it makes an almost perfect balance. Used an adjustable cargo strap from the come-a-long to the cowl vent holes to move the front up or down as needed. Worked great for me as I had to do it all by myself.

 

So when you tilted the column down toward the floor , you could pull the shaft out?

 

No. I left it complete. Didn't take it apart. The floor pans when removed will leave a big enough hole for the wheel and all to pass through.

 

Got it. However my tub is a fiberglass one no pans to remove.

 

I assume your Jeep is an early one before 1971 with the Ross box mounted on the frame below the firewall & attached to the column?..........In that case your only option is pull your steering wheel and unbolt the box and snake it out through the bottom. In that early steering the steering shaft that is attached to the steering wheel is one piece with the sector shaft gear attached to the steering box...........

 

i removed my fiberglass tub the same as walt described. all i did was remove the steering wheel and the two bolts at the dash and lifted the tub off using my a-frame hoist.

 

Im thinking , Remove the steering wheel and lift the tub up over it all. I have a pretty big engine lift to help me with it. Hmm

 

Gonna need to raise it fairly high, I'd imagine.

 

I think you figured it out.
Now, getting the steering wheel off is another matter, but it has been addressed here several times, try a search on it.
You might as well spray the nut and splines down with a penetrating oil tonight, It should go better tomorrow.

 

Thanks for the help guys. I will probably try some of this today. Yes its a 69 frame/drivetrain/steering set up. Just looking at the seering wheel makes me cringe (ITS ON THERE) lol. My last Bronco i owned had been apart and back together so many times it went pretty easy, whatever I did. This CJ will fight me, its for its own good. Again thanks, this forum is very helpful.

 

Yep ...........either way depending on the equipment you have to lift it high enough to come out the bottom or taking the tub off and getting it high enough to come out from the top............

 

removing the steering wheel is a piece of cake.
I do it with a bearing separator, two jaw puller, and an intake valve.

Remove the horn contact ring
reinstall the bolt on the steering tube and screw it down to the point where the top of the bolt is level with the top of the steering tube. Stick the intake valve in the hole. The intake valve is the pressure point for the puller -- the bolt holds the steering tube so that it doesn't splay when under pressure.

Put the bearing separator behind the steering wheel and tighten it down to the point where it is as snug against the steering column as you can make it but loose enough so it will still move up and down the steering column. Then use the 2 jaw puller to grab the bearing separator. Spray some penetrating oil on the spline/wheel the day before you do this.

You'll have to put a lot of torque on this, but it will suddenly "pop". Since the bolt is still on the steering tube the wheel will catch on it and that keeps the whole thing from flying all over the place when it finally gives. Once you do this the first time you will find that you spend more time setting this up than actually cranking on the puller.

kamel

 

When I removed my steering wheel it was a piece of cake. Get everything set up to pull. Take a propane torch and heat up the metal ring in the steering wheel around the shaft for a few minutes. Should come off with not a lot of pulling, mine did. Leave the nut on the end of the shaft so things stay together and not fly apart. Steve

 

Got it, thanks for the help

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/98453447@N06/9241869077/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/98453447@N06/9241854893/in/photostream/