Steering intermediate shaft?

Just picked up my 07 from getting oil change at the dealer. While it was there I had them check the steering because I can feel a clunk from the steering column. I was told it needs the steering intermediate shaft replaced for $580. When I bought it I had it checked out at another shop and was told the same thing. It seems to be getting worse. What should I do?

Do you have a lot of play in the steering? Really there should no play at all. If you wiggle the steering wheel the tires should wiggle with it.

No play at all, steering is tight.

I wouldn't worry about it then. If you can't see it pop or move while someone else is turning it I wouldn't worry. It could be something else too like bad rack bushings. You may want to watch the rack while someone turns the wheel.

Rack is tight to.It's definately the steering shaft.

Anyone had to replace theirs.

When I bought mine the steering was really :favorites68: up. The wheel was very loose and almost scary. It had 3000 miles on it. Not sure what happened, didn't care. I drove it home and then to the dealer and had the whole thing replaced from the firewall down under warranty. They wouldn't let me drive it until they got the part and made the repair, so it spent the night there. Chrysler has problems with these. All the JK owners are reporting this "clunk" too from what I'm finding around the interwebs. There's even a recall for a lot of different models made between april and may 2011. I guess the "new guy" at the factory really screwed up and grabbed some rivets out of the reject bin.

Anyway, if its just clunking I wouldn't worry about it. You can probably find one and replace it yourself if it bothers you.

I took my liberty to another shop for a second opinon, same thing steering intermediate shaft needs to be replaced. I took it home and began looking at it and it didnt look hard to replace. Then I noticed that there is a stabilizer bracket bolted to the inner fender that the shaft passes through. I put a few drops of oil on it because it looked like the shaft was bindind up, and after driving it for a few days the clunk is gone.

Does anyone have one of these old broken intermediate shafts laying around?

I am looking for one

first&lastKJ said:

I took my liberty to another shop for a second opinon, same thing steering intermediate shaft needs to be replaced. I took it home and began looking at it and it didnt look hard to replace. Then I noticed that there is a stabilizer bracket bolted to the inner fender that the shaft passes through. I put a few drops of oil on it because it looked like the shaft was bindind up, and after driving it for a few days the clunk is gone.

Click to expand...

You just saved yourself $580 I do believe.

Downtown said:

Does anyone have one of these old broken intermediate shafts laying around?

I am looking for one

Click to expand...

I think you are looking for an axle intermediate,maybe?

I am looking for the intermediate steering shaft that lives between the firewall and the steering rack. I want an old one so I can use it as a template when I make my own.

I've seen it called the lower steering shaft too :shrug:

Then I wil take pics and tell you guys how I did it.

Premium steering shaft for a not so premium price.:gr_grin:

That's my goal anyway

Tried a junkyard?

www.car-part.com

:shrug:

That'll probably be hit-or-miss if you find anything.

first&lastKJ said:

Tried a junkyard?

Click to expand...

Yeah... They want $40 for their's. I was hoping to find cheaper. That is a nice sized chunk out of my budget.

Well, I just ordered a intermediate steering shaft from the dealer. No aftermarket options available. The popping in the steering wheel is getting worse. Anyone ever replace theirs or have any tips on replacing one. I'm golng to do it tomorrow.

first&lastKJ said:

Anyone had to replace theirs.

Click to expand...

Are you talking about the actual steering shaft that connects to the steering wheel at the top and joins onto a universal joint at the bottom inside the engine bay?

I had to replace the small bearing at the top of the steering shaft so I had to remove the whole steering shaft assembly and take it apart, replace the bearing and put it all back together again......no big deal involved.:33:

Yes.
What bearing did you replace? And what was it doing?

first&lastKJ said:

Yes.
What bearing did you replace? And what was it doing?

Click to expand...

There is a small bearing 37 mm OD, 26 mm ID and 7 mm thickness that sits right at the top of the steering column....the center shaft is not a tight fit on the inside of the bearing as the top of the column has an "O" ring fitted to it. The whole system is spring loaded downwards to pull the "O" ring tight on the bearing assembly.

There is also a larger bearing at the bottom of the shaft to take up lateral play.

The small bearing started making grinding noises and became very tight....the Dealers laughed at me when I asked for a new small bearing....not available they said..I had to replace the entitire steering column assembly for some rediculous price.


I removed the steering column assembly...first disconnected battery to discharge airbag..removed steering boss...removed steering wheel carefully with a bearing puller...undid the lower universal joint and unbolted steering assembly from the height adjuster...no big deal.


The lower bearing is held into place with some metal clips...make a note of their possition and pry them off for later re-fittment...you will see the spring inside that tenshions the whole assembly.

I replaced the small top bearing with one from a bearing supplier for about $3.00 and re-fitted everything back into place, making sure that the metal clamps are secured to the shaft correctly under tenshion. The small bearing is punched into a zinc/aluminium housing...just punch it back into place with a center punch. Finally line up your steering wheel on its spline to sit straight when driving.

It is not a big deal to take the whole assembly apart...do not let the dealers scare you into buying a new steering assembly.:icon_biggrin:

Got the new shaft installed, no more popping. Hope it is fixed for good.

I'm getting a pop in the steering, but only when just starting to move after the Jeep's been sitting a while. The steering is nice and tight otherwise, especially since I replaced my lower balljoints. Looking at the steering shaft, there's a worn rubber bushing where the shaft angles to the left to run down and meet the steering rack.

If it turns out I need a new shaft assembly, how difficult is it in the real world to change it out? The FSM makes it seem pretty simple, and I guess that with the fan removed (I have the heavy-duty cooling with additional clutch fan) acccess would be good?