Removal and Installation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Montego, 2006 Ford Freestyle, and 2006 Ford Five Hundred. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
CAUTION:
Do not allow the steering column shaft to rotate while the intermediate shaft is disconnected or damage to the clockspring can result. If there is evidence that the shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered. For additional information, refer to CLOCKSPRING
.
- With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
- Place the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position and remove the ignition key.
- Remove the steering column cover.
- Remove the intermediate shaft-to-steering column bolt.
- To install, tighten to 25 N.m (18 lb-ft).
- Release the intermediate shaft boot bearing clamp from the intermediate shaft boot.
- Using a suitable tool, open the intermediate shaft boot bearing clamp and release the boot from the intermediate shaft.
- Retain the intermediate shaft boot bearing clamp in the open position.
- Remove the intermediate shaft-to-steering gear bolt.
- To install, tighten to 23 Nm (17 lb-ft).
- Remove the intermediate shaft.
- Make sure the end tabs of the intermediate shaft boot bearing clamp do not contact the boot after installation.
- Make sure the intermediate shaft boot bearing is properly seated in the retention groove before installing the intermediate shaft boot bearing clamp. The outer bearing race must not be seen protruding from the groove.
- To install, reverse the removal procedure.
CAUTION:
Make sure that the intermediate shaft boot bearing clamp is retained in the open position when removing and installing the clamp, boot bearing or boot assembly.
CAUTION: