Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2006 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital parts and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be installed if installation becomes necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

Place the steering wheel in the straight ahead position and the ignition key in the OFF position.
Remove the 2 lower steering column shaft joint cover bolts and cover.

Fig 1: Locating Lower Steering Column Shaft Joint Cover Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Do not allow the intermediate shaft to rotate while it is disconnected from the gear or damage to the clockspring can occur. If there is evidence that the intermediate shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered. For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM .

NOTE: Index the steering column shaft position to the steering gear for reference during installation.

Remove the bolt and disconnect the steering column shaft from the steering gear.
- To install, align the index marks, tighten to 20 Nm (15 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 2: Locating Steering Column Shaft From Steering Gear
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Remove the steering column shaft-to-dash seal or damage to the seal can occur.

CAUTION: Make sure that the dash seal is properly installed on the steering gear and the retaining clips are fully engaged into the body or damage to the steering gear can result.

Fig 3: Locating Steering Column Shaft-To-Dash Seal

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the steering column shaft-to-dash seal.
With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
If equipped, remove the 7 screws and the underbody cover.

Fig 4: Locating Underbody Cover Screws
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 8 screws and position the LH and RH splash shields aside.

Fig 5: Locating Screws And Position LH And RH Splash Shields Aside
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown) and the RH splash shield.

Fig 6: Locating Splash Shield Pin-Type Retainers
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown) and the LH splash shield.

Fig 7: Locating Pin-Type Retainers And LH Splash Shield
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove and discard the 2 tie-rod end cotter pins and nuts.
- To install, tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).

CAUTION: Do not use a hammer to separate the tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle can result.

NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.

Fig 8: Identifying Special Tool

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Using the special tool, separate the tie-rod ends from both wheel knuckles.

NOTE: Use the holding feature to prevent the ball stud from turning while removing or installing the stabilizer bar link nuts.

Remove and discard the 2 stabilizer bar link lower nuts and disconnect both stabilizer bar links from the stabilizer bar.
- To install, tighten to 42 Nm (31 lb-ft).
Remove the 2 bolts and the heat shield.

Fig 9: Locating Heat Shield And Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 engine roll restrictor bracket bolts.
- Tighten to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 10: Locating Engine Roll Restrictor Bracket Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using 2 suitable jack stands, support the rear of the subframe assembly.

NOTE: LH shown, RH similar.

Remove and discard the 4 subframe bracket-to-body bolts, the 2 subframe bracket-to-subframe nuts and lower the rear of the subframe.
- To install, tighten the bolts to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).
- To install, tighten the nuts to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 11: Locating Subframe Bracket-To-Body Bolts And Nuts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove RH steering gear-to-subframe bolt.
- To install, tighten to 107 Nm (79 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 12: Locating RH Steering Gear-To-Subframe Bolt
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 LH steering gear-to-subframe bolts and position the steering gear to access the stabilizer bar LH bracket front nut.
- To install, tighten to 107 Nm (79 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 13: Locating LH Steering Gear-To-Subframe Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove and discard the 4 stabilizer bar bracket nuts and remove the 2 stabilizer bar brackets.
- To install, tighten the bracket nuts to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft) with the suspension at the bushing fastener tightening position.
Remove the 2 stabilizer bar bushings.
Remove the stabilizer bar through the LH wheel opening.

Fig 14: Removing Stabilizer Bar LH Wheel Opening
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Before tightening the stabilizer bar bracket nuts, the suspension must be at the bushing fastener tightening position. Use a suitable jack to raise the suspension until the distance between the center of the hub and the lip of the fender is equal to 402 mm (15.83 in).

CAUTION: A new bolt and new seals must be installed any time the power steering pressure line is disconnected from the power steering gear.

Fig 15: Identifying Distance Between Center Of Hub And Lip Of Fender

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.