Steering wheel tilt lever is frozen and I have some pretty good play in the steering wheel, Could the two be related or are they two separate issues?

I dont really care about adjusting the wheel, its ok where it is, but the play in the steering is kinda scary...


Thanks.

 

I usually check for steering play by getting someone to get in the vehicle without it running and rocking the steering wheel back and forth while I look for loose steering components. My last xj's unibody cracked around the steering box, hopefully this isnt your issue. Tilt should not be related

 

I haven't had to do this on an XJ, but my GMC c1500 I did - the steering wheel may just be loose. You would have to get a steering wheel puller and get it disassembled a bit until you can get to the bolts and tighten them up.

Again not 100% sure if this pertains to these Cherokee's, but I imagine that's what it needs if it isn't something like what overstreet said - cracked unibody/steering box issue. Steering components may cause play in steering but if you have actual play in just the steering wheel, like when the steering wheel is locked and you can still move it up and down or side to side a bit - it probably just needs to get tightened down.

You can rent steering wheel pullers at AZ for a deposit.

 

Perhaps all you need to do is replace the whole steering column from another XJ not that hard to do if needed.