Turbo X_J

Floor shift, auto, tilt.
http://car-part.com/
You can get columns all day for $150, not worth disassembling the old broken one.

Bugout4x4

Now we are getting somewhere... Does it unscrew? can you tap it gently with a flathead screwdriver and a small hammer using the tabs on it to see if it unscrews? Those tabs are there for a reason. If it unscrews they probably make a tool that fits it correctly but maybe it can be gently tapped out going back and forth from one side to the other.

Bugout4x4

Just read somewhere else that the black ring is plastic? They suggested taping it on the back of the collar with a hammer to remove it. But I'm going to let you make the call on that one.

99 2DR

bah... it didn't work. BUT (and its a big but lol) I tried to pull that metal casting towards me as I sat in the driver's seat and I noticed that the casting and the splined shaft move towards me 3/16 of an inch. So now I believe that there are four pieces involved and not just three. I now believe that the splined shaft runs inside the steering column sheath. And that same spline shaft has a shoulder on it that pinches the casting I'm having a problem with between the shoulder of the spline shaft and the steering column sheath. Therefore, if I can somehow release the spline shaft at the bottom of the sheath somewhere around the Tilt or perhaps the firewall I can then slide the spline shaft out of the steering column sheath and in doing so I will at last be able to pull that casting off the column. What do u think?

99 2DR

Hey thanks for the advice. I use the link and sure enough ( just as you said )there it was. However, I'm now back in the land of reality and I want to learn Jeep, eat Jeep, sleep Jeep, and eventually drive jeep. If I can't work my way through this I will most certainly follow your advice. Again, thank you Turbo XJ

Bugout4x4

This is what I would try at this point. If the bearing is hanging onto the splined shaft then this is where your issue is. If you can pull out on the assembly towards you and smack the end of the shaft with something that wont mess up the threads like a dead blow hammer, or a block of wood to protect it I think it will come off the shaft with the bearing. If you have two other hands it might help.

But I would put the nut back on the end and screw it on until it is flush with the end of the shaft to help protect the threads first.

99 2DR

​​​​​ sounds like a plan. We'll try it

Bugout4x4

Are you sure it doesn't still have some screws holding it around the outside of that casting going in towards the column from the side?

Bugout4x4

That's now I have to remove alternator pulleys, I have someone hold the pulley with the weight hanging below, and then smack the shaft. comes right off.

Bugout4x4

Did you get it? lol

99 2DR

unfortunately it's not bolted nor is it pinned.Grrr
so it is at this point that I am seriously starting to consider the worst. I live in Phoenix and the Sun is now down. Yet earlier looking under the dash I was in denial, but clearly, removing the steering column doesn't look like it's going to be a friendly event.

Bugout4x4

There are videos on how to do that. I'm off to the sack myself. But I will look again in the morning about this you are trying now. We might save it yet man!

99 2DR

we're on the same page, so I guess it's true, Jeep Minds do think alike LOL. This is what I tried and all I've got for my effort was zero. I put this dude on there and it just bent the casting and started to make terrible noises so I backed off.

99 2DR

Thank you Bugout 4x4 for your time and effort. Cool

Bugout4x4

My pleasure Sir. Have a great evening.