Steering Gear - 2.5L Hybrid and 3.0L All Wheel Drive (AWD): Removal
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Mercury Milan, 2010 Lincoln MKZ, and 2010 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Using a suitable holding device, hold the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.NOTE: Use a steering wheel holding device (such as Hunter® 28-75-1 or equivalent).
- 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.
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 REMOVAL . - Pulling upward, remove the steering gear/dash seal.NOTE: Remove the steering gear/dash seal or damage to the seal may occur.
- Remove the wheels and tires. For additional information, refer to REMOVAL .
- 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.NOTE: RH side shown in illustration, LH side similar.
- Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown in 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.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.
- Remove the exhaust flexible pipe. For additional information, refer to REMOVAL .
- 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 Table 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.
- Remove the 2 bolts and the EPAS connector shield.
- Disconnect the 2 EPAS electrical connectors and the wiring retainer.
- Remove the 3 bolts and the steering gear.