Lee Ayrton

You folks do know that there was a known problem with the
shifter-brake-ignition safety interlock in circa 1989 Cherokees with
automatics, right?

All this talk about pulling the wheel and all he might need to do is
wiggle the shifter a bit.

Of course, he hasn't told us if he's got an auto or a manual gearbox.


Rich Hampel wrote:
> Ditto ..... HARD force trying to turn the wheel to the LEFT or RIGHT
> will sometimes free the pin the Star shaped locking dog.
> Lifting the front of the car off the ground will help when you try to
> turn the wheel back and forth as you attempt to turn.
>
> I use this 'feature' to bomproof 'lock' my stering wheel to prevent
> vehicle Theft ...... I rotate the steering wheel with 'force' as far as
> it will go and then turn the key .... the 'spring-back' inherent in the
> steering system holds that damn locking mechanism so hard that it would
> take 15 gorillas to turn the key to release the locking mechanism
> ....... Try turning the steering wheel HARD as you try to turn the key -
> dont force the KEY.
>
> If all else fails and you have to remove the steering wheel .... BE
> CAREFUL when the wheel is finally off. There is a plastic plate that
> covers the 'locking plate' .... a disc with perforations along the
> outter circumference which accepts a sliding 'pin' from underneath when
> you turn the key. The locking plate is held in place to the splines of
> the steering wheel shaft with a C-clip and a SPRING. Unless you make a
> 'jig' to compress the locking plate into the spring to put back the
> C-clip you will find it a 'bear' to do without at least 2-3 helpers to
> help compress the locking plate down far enough onto the spring so that
> you can insert the C-clip.
> FIRST, try rotating the steering very hard HARD left to release the
> friction from the pin and the locking plate .... 99% of the time this
> will free the pin. 1% of the time you need to shoot a little WD40 into
> the pin collar and with a flat ~3/16: dia punch 'tap' the pin back down
> as you release the friction of the pin/plate by turning the steering
> wheel, etc. (... and without removing that damn locking plate! ) 0.05%
> of the time you have to remove that damn locking plate. If the pin is
> stuck, try to free it up (WD40, teflon lube, etc.) .... and leave the
> locking plate removal for the very last attempt.
>
> hope this helps.
>
>
> <e%pIe.5771$z91.673008@news20.bellglobal.com>, Poe <Poe34@mail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>>Poe wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Shizam wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hello, I am getting a 1987 Jeep Cherokee from my sister. But there is
>>>>only one
>>>>problem. The stuiped wheels wont turna nd the key wont turn. Now i know
>>>>what you thinking turn the wheel and turn the key.. Right? yeah wheel i
>>>>tried for a good hour and a half. the first hour i was jerking the wheel
>>>>and turning the key the next half an hour i was punching the crap out of
>>>>the wheel....... I have done some research on this, i am thinking that i
>>>>have to take the steering wheel off, and unlock the steering column
>>>>manuly. I got the nut of the wheel off the the wheel itself wont come
>>>>off, im thinking that there is a tool to get it off. I dont even know
>>>>where to turn. There is one other BIG problem, the Jeep is in PA and i
>>>>live in OH... its like 2 hours away.... My family is going up there
>>>>this weekend the 5th, So anyone with ANY I MEAN ANY ideas give me a
>>>>list and i can do them this weekend when i go up there.
>>>>(Note: Maybe i need to install a new ignition?? If sois that hard??)
>>>>Thanks, Jimmy
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>What you need is a puller. Its a fairly inexspenive item you should be
>>>able to get one at any auto parts store. The puller has two (or three)
>>>bolts that screw into the threaded holes on iether side of the lock nut,
>>>theres a large bolt in the center that pushes on the centre post and
>>>pulls the stearing wheel off. Its kinda like a big cork screw.
>>>
>>>Poe
>>
>>p.s. I have run into this problem many times (drove tow truck for a
>>couple years) try turning the wheel hard to the left, put you weight
>>into it, while jiggling the key. This usually works.
>>

Lee Ayrton

You folks do know that there was a known problem with the
shifter-brake-ignition safety interlock in circa 1989 Cherokees with
automatics, right?

All this talk about pulling the wheel and all he might need to do is
wiggle the shifter a bit.

Of course, he hasn't told us if he's got an auto or a manual gearbox.


Rich Hampel wrote:
> Ditto ..... HARD force trying to turn the wheel to the LEFT or RIGHT
> will sometimes free the pin the Star shaped locking dog.
> Lifting the front of the car off the ground will help when you try to
> turn the wheel back and forth as you attempt to turn.
>
> I use this 'feature' to bomproof 'lock' my stering wheel to prevent
> vehicle Theft ...... I rotate the steering wheel with 'force' as far as
> it will go and then turn the key .... the 'spring-back' inherent in the
> steering system holds that damn locking mechanism so hard that it would
> take 15 gorillas to turn the key to release the locking mechanism
> ....... Try turning the steering wheel HARD as you try to turn the key -
> dont force the KEY.
>
> If all else fails and you have to remove the steering wheel .... BE
> CAREFUL when the wheel is finally off. There is a plastic plate that
> covers the 'locking plate' .... a disc with perforations along the
> outter circumference which accepts a sliding 'pin' from underneath when
> you turn the key. The locking plate is held in place to the splines of
> the steering wheel shaft with a C-clip and a SPRING. Unless you make a
> 'jig' to compress the locking plate into the spring to put back the
> C-clip you will find it a 'bear' to do without at least 2-3 helpers to
> help compress the locking plate down far enough onto the spring so that
> you can insert the C-clip.
> FIRST, try rotating the steering very hard HARD left to release the
> friction from the pin and the locking plate .... 99% of the time this
> will free the pin. 1% of the time you need to shoot a little WD40 into
> the pin collar and with a flat ~3/16: dia punch 'tap' the pin back down
> as you release the friction of the pin/plate by turning the steering
> wheel, etc. (... and without removing that damn locking plate! ) 0.05%
> of the time you have to remove that damn locking plate. If the pin is
> stuck, try to free it up (WD40, teflon lube, etc.) .... and leave the
> locking plate removal for the very last attempt.
>
> hope this helps.
>
>
> <e%pIe.5771$z91.673008@news20.bellglobal.com>, Poe <Poe34@mail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>>Poe wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Shizam wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hello, I am getting a 1987 Jeep Cherokee from my sister. But there is
>>>>only one
>>>>problem. The stuiped wheels wont turna nd the key wont turn. Now i know
>>>>what you thinking turn the wheel and turn the key.. Right? yeah wheel i
>>>>tried for a good hour and a half. the first hour i was jerking the wheel
>>>>and turning the key the next half an hour i was punching the crap out of
>>>>the wheel....... I have done some research on this, i am thinking that i
>>>>have to take the steering wheel off, and unlock the steering column
>>>>manuly. I got the nut of the wheel off the the wheel itself wont come
>>>>off, im thinking that there is a tool to get it off. I dont even know
>>>>where to turn. There is one other BIG problem, the Jeep is in PA and i
>>>>live in OH... its like 2 hours away.... My family is going up there
>>>>this weekend the 5th, So anyone with ANY I MEAN ANY ideas give me a
>>>>list and i can do them this weekend when i go up there.
>>>>(Note: Maybe i need to install a new ignition?? If sois that hard??)
>>>>Thanks, Jimmy
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>What you need is a puller. Its a fairly inexspenive item you should be
>>>able to get one at any auto parts store. The puller has two (or three)
>>>bolts that screw into the threaded holes on iether side of the lock nut,
>>>theres a large bolt in the center that pushes on the centre post and
>>>pulls the stearing wheel off. Its kinda like a big cork screw.
>>>
>>>Poe
>>
>>p.s. I have run into this problem many times (drove tow truck for a
>>couple years) try turning the wheel hard to the left, put you weight
>>into it, while jiggling the key. This usually works.
>>

Lee Ayrton

You folks do know that there was a known problem with the
shifter-brake-ignition safety interlock in circa 1989 Cherokees with
automatics, right?

All this talk about pulling the wheel and all he might need to do is
wiggle the shifter a bit.

Of course, he hasn't told us if he's got an auto or a manual gearbox.


Rich Hampel wrote:
> Ditto ..... HARD force trying to turn the wheel to the LEFT or RIGHT
> will sometimes free the pin the Star shaped locking dog.
> Lifting the front of the car off the ground will help when you try to
> turn the wheel back and forth as you attempt to turn.
>
> I use this 'feature' to bomproof 'lock' my stering wheel to prevent
> vehicle Theft ...... I rotate the steering wheel with 'force' as far as
> it will go and then turn the key .... the 'spring-back' inherent in the
> steering system holds that damn locking mechanism so hard that it would
> take 15 gorillas to turn the key to release the locking mechanism
> ....... Try turning the steering wheel HARD as you try to turn the key -
> dont force the KEY.
>
> If all else fails and you have to remove the steering wheel .... BE
> CAREFUL when the wheel is finally off. There is a plastic plate that
> covers the 'locking plate' .... a disc with perforations along the
> outter circumference which accepts a sliding 'pin' from underneath when
> you turn the key. The locking plate is held in place to the splines of
> the steering wheel shaft with a C-clip and a SPRING. Unless you make a
> 'jig' to compress the locking plate into the spring to put back the
> C-clip you will find it a 'bear' to do without at least 2-3 helpers to
> help compress the locking plate down far enough onto the spring so that
> you can insert the C-clip.
> FIRST, try rotating the steering very hard HARD left to release the
> friction from the pin and the locking plate .... 99% of the time this
> will free the pin. 1% of the time you need to shoot a little WD40 into
> the pin collar and with a flat ~3/16: dia punch 'tap' the pin back down
> as you release the friction of the pin/plate by turning the steering
> wheel, etc. (... and without removing that damn locking plate! ) 0.05%
> of the time you have to remove that damn locking plate. If the pin is
> stuck, try to free it up (WD40, teflon lube, etc.) .... and leave the
> locking plate removal for the very last attempt.
>
> hope this helps.
>
>
> <e%pIe.5771$z91.673008@news20.bellglobal.com>, Poe <Poe34@mail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>>Poe wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Shizam wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hello, I am getting a 1987 Jeep Cherokee from my sister. But there is
>>>>only one
>>>>problem. The stuiped wheels wont turna nd the key wont turn. Now i know
>>>>what you thinking turn the wheel and turn the key.. Right? yeah wheel i
>>>>tried for a good hour and a half. the first hour i was jerking the wheel
>>>>and turning the key the next half an hour i was punching the crap out of
>>>>the wheel....... I have done some research on this, i am thinking that i
>>>>have to take the steering wheel off, and unlock the steering column
>>>>manuly. I got the nut of the wheel off the the wheel itself wont come
>>>>off, im thinking that there is a tool to get it off. I dont even know
>>>>where to turn. There is one other BIG problem, the Jeep is in PA and i
>>>>live in OH... its like 2 hours away.... My family is going up there
>>>>this weekend the 5th, So anyone with ANY I MEAN ANY ideas give me a
>>>>list and i can do them this weekend when i go up there.
>>>>(Note: Maybe i need to install a new ignition?? If sois that hard??)
>>>>Thanks, Jimmy
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>What you need is a puller. Its a fairly inexspenive item you should be
>>>able to get one at any auto parts store. The puller has two (or three)
>>>bolts that screw into the threaded holes on iether side of the lock nut,
>>>theres a large bolt in the center that pushes on the centre post and
>>>pulls the stearing wheel off. Its kinda like a big cork screw.
>>>
>>>Poe
>>
>>p.s. I have run into this problem many times (drove tow truck for a
>>couple years) try turning the wheel hard to the left, put you weight
>>into it, while jiggling the key. This usually works.
>>

Mike Romain

Bill, up here in the Great White North, the 'parking' brake is only an
'emergency' brake because the cables get coated with road slush and
freeze solid overnight, so I for one have gotten used to 'properly'
parking by cutting the downhill side of the front wheels to the curb.

On my steep driveway I grew up with, I set a brick to hold the front
wheel in the winter, so did my Dad. We would just drive up past the
bricks and roll slowly back on to them before we put it in gear or park.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

"L.W.(ßill) ------ III" wrote:
>
> Do not turn into the curb and then shut the engine off next time.
> God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>
> Shizam wrote:
> >
> > Hey Guys thanks for all your Help. The problem was the Ignition
> > cylinder. Had to take the sterring Wheel off, but no big deal with the
> > steering wheel puller. All and all it was pretty easy and only about 10
> > bucks. Thanks again for your help!
> >
> > --
> > Shizam
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Shizam's Profile: http://www.usenetcars.com/member.php?userid=3902
> > View this thread: http://www.usenetcars.com/showthread.php?t=594194

Mike Romain

Bill, up here in the Great White North, the 'parking' brake is only an
'emergency' brake because the cables get coated with road slush and
freeze solid overnight, so I for one have gotten used to 'properly'
parking by cutting the downhill side of the front wheels to the curb.

On my steep driveway I grew up with, I set a brick to hold the front
wheel in the winter, so did my Dad. We would just drive up past the
bricks and roll slowly back on to them before we put it in gear or park.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

"L.W.(ßill) ------ III" wrote:
>
> Do not turn into the curb and then shut the engine off next time.
> God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>
> Shizam wrote:
> >
> > Hey Guys thanks for all your Help. The problem was the Ignition
> > cylinder. Had to take the sterring Wheel off, but no big deal with the
> > steering wheel puller. All and all it was pretty easy and only about 10
> > bucks. Thanks again for your help!
> >
> > --
> > Shizam
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Shizam's Profile: http://www.usenetcars.com/member.php?userid=3902
> > View this thread: http://www.usenetcars.com/showthread.php?t=594194

Mike Romain

Bill, up here in the Great White North, the 'parking' brake is only an
'emergency' brake because the cables get coated with road slush and
freeze solid overnight, so I for one have gotten used to 'properly'
parking by cutting the downhill side of the front wheels to the curb.

On my steep driveway I grew up with, I set a brick to hold the front
wheel in the winter, so did my Dad. We would just drive up past the
bricks and roll slowly back on to them before we put it in gear or park.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

"L.W.(ßill) ------ III" wrote:
>
> Do not turn into the curb and then shut the engine off next time.
> God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>
> Shizam wrote:
> >
> > Hey Guys thanks for all your Help. The problem was the Ignition
> > cylinder. Had to take the sterring Wheel off, but no big deal with the
> > steering wheel puller. All and all it was pretty easy and only about 10
> > bucks. Thanks again for your help!
> >
> > --
> > Shizam
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Shizam's Profile: http://www.usenetcars.com/member.php?userid=3902
> > View this thread: http://www.usenetcars.com/showthread.php?t=594194

Mike Romain

Bill, up here in the Great White North, the 'parking' brake is only an
'emergency' brake because the cables get coated with road slush and
freeze solid overnight, so I for one have gotten used to 'properly'
parking by cutting the downhill side of the front wheels to the curb.

On my steep driveway I grew up with, I set a brick to hold the front
wheel in the winter, so did my Dad. We would just drive up past the
bricks and roll slowly back on to them before we put it in gear or park.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

"L.W.(ßill) ------ III" wrote:
>
> Do not turn into the curb and then shut the engine off next time.
> God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>
> Shizam wrote:
> >
> > Hey Guys thanks for all your Help. The problem was the Ignition
> > cylinder. Had to take the sterring Wheel off, but no big deal with the
> > steering wheel puller. All and all it was pretty easy and only about 10
> > bucks. Thanks again for your help!
> >
> > --
> > Shizam
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Shizam's Profile: http://www.usenetcars.com/member.php?userid=3902
> > View this thread: http://www.usenetcars.com/showthread.php?t=594194

L.W.(=?iso-8859-1?Q?=DFill?=) Hughes III

LOL. Yes, yes, yes. But I was talking about being up against the
curb, like we supposed to, and turning into the curb, like we're
supposed to, but like my wife did the other day using the power steering
didn't feel just how hard up against the curb it was left. Took me no
less than two hundred pounds of pulling the steering wheel over to turn
the key on. I really thought something else was wrong, as it felt like I
was going to break the column.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Mike Romain wrote:
>
> Bill, up here in the Great White North, the 'parking' brake is only an
> 'emergency' brake because the cables get coated with road slush and
> freeze solid overnight, so I for one have gotten used to 'properly'
> parking by cutting the downhill side of the front wheels to the curb.
>
> On my steep driveway I grew up with, I set a brick to hold the front
> wheel in the winter, so did my Dad. We would just drive up past the
> bricks and roll slowly back on to them before we put it in gear or park.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

L.W.(=?iso-8859-1?Q?=DFill?=) Hughes III

LOL. Yes, yes, yes. But I was talking about being up against the
curb, like we supposed to, and turning into the curb, like we're
supposed to, but like my wife did the other day using the power steering
didn't feel just how hard up against the curb it was left. Took me no
less than two hundred pounds of pulling the steering wheel over to turn
the key on. I really thought something else was wrong, as it felt like I
was going to break the column.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Mike Romain wrote:
>
> Bill, up here in the Great White North, the 'parking' brake is only an
> 'emergency' brake because the cables get coated with road slush and
> freeze solid overnight, so I for one have gotten used to 'properly'
> parking by cutting the downhill side of the front wheels to the curb.
>
> On my steep driveway I grew up with, I set a brick to hold the front
> wheel in the winter, so did my Dad. We would just drive up past the
> bricks and roll slowly back on to them before we put it in gear or park.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

L.W.(=?iso-8859-1?Q?=DFill?=) Hughes III

LOL. Yes, yes, yes. But I was talking about being up against the
curb, like we supposed to, and turning into the curb, like we're
supposed to, but like my wife did the other day using the power steering
didn't feel just how hard up against the curb it was left. Took me no
less than two hundred pounds of pulling the steering wheel over to turn
the key on. I really thought something else was wrong, as it felt like I
was going to break the column.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Mike Romain wrote:
>
> Bill, up here in the Great White North, the 'parking' brake is only an
> 'emergency' brake because the cables get coated with road slush and
> freeze solid overnight, so I for one have gotten used to 'properly'
> parking by cutting the downhill side of the front wheels to the curb.
>
> On my steep driveway I grew up with, I set a brick to hold the front
> wheel in the winter, so did my Dad. We would just drive up past the
> bricks and roll slowly back on to them before we put it in gear or park.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's