Steering Gear - 2.5L Hybrid and 3.0L All Wheel Drive (AWD): Removal
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Mercury Milan, 2011 Lincoln MKZ, and 2011 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- If installing a new steering gear, connect the scan tool and upload the module configuration information from the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM). For additional information, refer to MODULE CONFIGURATION -- FUSION MILAN & MKZ article.
- Using a suitable holding device, hold the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.
- Remove the 2 lower steering column shaft joint cover nuts and the cover.
- Remove the bolt and disconnect the steering column shaft from the steering gear.
- Discard the bolt.
- Pulling upward, remove the steering gear/dash seal.
- Remove the wheels and tires. For additional information, refer to WHEELS & TIRES article.
- If equipped, remove the 7 screws and the underbody cover.
- Remove the 4 screws from each side and position the RH and LH fender splash shields aside.
- Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown in the illustration) from the LH and RH splash shield.
- Remove the 2 outer tie-rod end cotter pins and nuts.
- Discard the cotter pins.
- Using the Ball Joint Separator, separate the outer tie-rod ends from the wheel knuckles.
- Remove the exhaust flexible pipe. For additional information, refer to EXHAUST SYSTEM -- FUSION, MILAN & MKZ article.
- Remove the engine roll restrictor bolt.
- Disconnect the 2 Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) jumper harness electrical connectors and detach the 3 wiring harness retainers.
- Remove the bolt and position the ground wire aside.
- Remove the 2 (one on each side) lower stabilizer bar link nuts and separate the links from the stabilizer bar.
- Remove the 2 damper fork-to-front lower arm bolts and flagnuts.
- Position the Powertrain Lift under the subframe.
- Remove the 2 rear mounting nuts and washers from the front subframe.
- Remove the 4 bolts and the subframe support bracket.
- Remove the 2 front mounting nuts and washers from the front subframe.
- Lower the subframe to gain access to the steering gear.
- Disconnect the 2 EPAS electrical connectors and the wiring retainer.
- Remove the 3 bolts and the steering gear.
NOTE:
Use a steering wheel holding device (such as Hunter® 28-75-1 or equivalent).
NOTE:
Do not allow the steering column to rotate while the steering column shaft is disconnected from the steering gear or damage to the clockspring may occur. If there is evidence that the steering column has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered. For additional information, refer to
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM -- FUSION, MILAN & MKZ
article.
NOTE:
Remove the steering gear/dash seal or damage to the seal may occur.
NOTE:
RH side shown in the illustration, LH side similar.
NOTE:
Do not use a hammer to separate the outer tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle may result.