2005 Liberty (Cherokee) KJ Steering Shaft Rattle Source ID

Ludi Neethling · **Joined:** Sat Feb 02, 2013 11:04 am **Posts:** 87

Hi Everybody.

I am from South Africa therefore RHD.
2005 Jeep Cherokee KJ CRD Steering Intermediate Shaft Rattle Cause Identified.

The lower Intermediate Shaft slides in a sheath to accomodate, (I assume) up and down movement. Due to play (very little) between the sheath and shaft this results in a rattling noise which you can also feel through the steering wheel. I had to take the intermediate arm (upper and lower) apart in order to track down this irritating rattle when you drive off road and over corrugated surfaces. It appears that the sheath and shaft cannot be dismantled.

Has anybody tried to rectify this by inserting Moly Grease (fifth wheel grease) into the shaft and if so how did you do it. :?:

Any feedback would really be appreciated. :idea:

I still love my Jeep to bits.

WhitbyKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2015 3:26 pm

When I had mine apart for the cradle drop dilemma, I drilled out the stupid plastic but and bolted the shaft and tack welded it.

It never did rattle... But it won't now

I don't know what your shaft is made from, but mine passed a spark test so welding was okay.

WhitbyKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2015 3:27 pm

I'm also not fond of the tiny little ujoints.. I mean sure they probably do their purpose just fine.. But look how small they are.. Their almost .... Cute.

Ludi Neethling · **Joined:** Sat Feb 02, 2013 11:04 am **Posts:** 87

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=920914117945087&l=bf9b9b81fb

Here is a photo of the culprit.

Arkie · **Posted:** Sun Jun 14, 2015 12:43 pm

Through bolt and/or welding would certainly be a fix! As for grease, that's what GM recommends for Silverado pickups. Requires drilling and tapping of outer layer for the addition of a grease zerk. Or, drill hole in outer layer,weld a nut over hole and screw a set screw/bolt tight against inner shaft.

Bob

Ludi Neethling · **Joined:** Sat Feb 02, 2013 11:04 am **Posts:** 87

Thank you for sharing your ideas.

I am keen on the idea of either welding the shafts together or using your recommendation of a "lock Bolt". I am trying to understand why there needs to be up and down play. Is it to accomodate the adjustable steering? If so it makes sense to also determine your favorite steering angle and then make sure that the adjustment mechanism is "deactivated" before "locking" the shafts..

Please keep those ideas flowing.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Mon Jun 15, 2015 6:24 am

I believe it is designed that way to be able to collapse in the event of a bad front end collision so as to not drive the steering shaft and / or wheel into the driver...
I would not pin, bolt or weld it for safety reasons; take it off and pean it with a hammer to remove any loose movement, or replace it.... :idea:

WhitbyKJ · **Posted:** Mon Jun 15, 2015 7:18 am

Oh your issue is right at the joint... Hmmmmm.. Not sure I' be welding near there. You could always have it sleeved. When I worked mine, it was to lengthen the shaft by 1/2".

it thought we were talking mid shaft. Okay, here's what I would try.. I would try... Assuming the rattle is coming from excess play between the two pieces (which is dangerous), and the two pieces are dissimilar metals, what I would do, Personally, try to use heat to suck plumbing solder into the joint and then use an industrial strength two part (powder style) epoxy to reinforce the outside. That Should take the rattle away..... But since I thought we were talking about the mid shaft, I would replace it.

Ludi Neethling · **Joined:** Sat Feb 02, 2013 11:04 am **Posts:** 87

With reference to the pic I attached in original message this is the lower shaft which connects to the Steering rack. I cannot see how this will be a risk for the driver? In the event of a frontal impact the whole shaft would porbably disentegrate at the U-joints. It is also unlikely that the inner shaft would part from the sheath under normal or even off road conditions. Getting a new one will be good but I suspect the rattle would be back soon enough. I pulled out the rubber plug at the bottom of the sheath and it appears that there is +- an inch of space before you get to the inner shaft. This is with the shaft depressed completely.

What if:
I used Sikaflex (windshield adhesive), pull the shaft out to is maximum and fill the cavity with it? Push the shaft in a few times to ensure it is coated and let it cure? This could tkae care of the noise and I do not see any risks involved?

Mountainman · **Posted:** Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:56 pm

Ludi Neethling wrote:

With reference to the pic I attached in original message this is the lower shaft which connects to the Steering rack. I cannot see how this will be a risk for the driver? In the event of a frontal impact the whole shaft would porbably disentegrate at the U-joints. It is also unlikely that the inner shaft would part from the sheath under normal or even off road conditions. Getting a new one will be good but I suspect the rattle would be back soon enough. I pulled out the rubber plug at the bottom of the sheath and it appears that there is +- an inch of space before you get to the inner shaft. This is with the shaft depressed completely.

What if:
I used Sikaflex (windshield adhesive), pull the shaft out to is maximum and fill the cavity with it? Push the shaft in a few times to ensure it is coated and let it cure? This could tkae care of the noise and I do not see any risks involved?

I think Sikaflex would work well. We used it on the big wind turbines to glue the fiberglass top on. It should be tough enough to hold up to the forces on the steering column if you can let it cure well before use.

Ludi Neethling · **Joined:** Sat Feb 02, 2013 11:04 am **Posts:** 87

Went to a scrap yard, got a 2nd hand steering shaft, pulled the rubber plug at the bottom of the shaft, filled with moly grease, put plug back, noise gone.

Eventually I think I will bolt/weld the shafts together. It seems the only reason for this setup is to accomodate the adjustable steering column. I never use this anyway and would rather be rattle free.

Thank you for your input, much appreciated.

2005 Liberty (Cherokee) KJ Steering Shaft Rattle Source ID

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