Steering shaft really the same?

[jragan]

The wife's 1997 has a loose joint on the steering shaft. I see some sites showing the shaft only up to 1996. Going to Borgeson site http://www.borgeson.com/xcart/product.php?productid=967&cat=112&page=1 and they show 1984-2000. Does anyone know can I go to u pull and pay not have to worry about the year?

 

[Matthew Currie]

No. I'm pretty sure the change between 96 and 97 includes a different diameter for the steering column shaft that fits in the top of the steering shaft, so they won't interchange.

 

[ehall]

The factory parts changed fairly often. The aftermarket replacement is probably one-size-fits-all, assuming it has a telescoping joint. I thought the column end of the shaft changed in the later years but dunno for sure, the gearbox end stayed the same.

 

[xjtrailrider]

I do know a 96 shaft will not fit a pre 96, tried it, no go! It will only work if you swap the boxes. I have never tried it on our 2000 XJ to see if the 96+ are the same.

 

[Matthew Currie]

The factory parts changed fairly often. The aftermarket replacement is probably one-size-fits-all, assuming it has a telescoping joint. I thought the column end of the shaft changed in the later years but dunno for sure, the gearbox end stayed the same.

That's my impression. I can't remember details now, but some years ago I was hoping to replace the shaft on my 95 with a newer type, and my recollection is that the newer type shaft did not fit the column. I do know, however, that the boxes are all physically interchangeable, even if they differ internally regarding boost levels and so forth. My 95 has an 89 box on it, and my 99 has a 96 box.