Steering Gear - 2.5L Non-Hybrid and 3.0L Front Wheel Drive (FWD): Installation

All vehicles 

1. From the LH side of the vehicle, install the steering gear.
2. Install the 3 steering gear bolts.
   • Tighten to 107 Nm (79 lb-ft).
3. Using the jack, raise the rear of the front subframe.
4. Tighten the 2 front subframe nuts.
   • Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
5. Install the subframe support bracket, the 4 rear subframe bolts and the 2 rear subframe nuts.
   • To install, tighten the bolts and nuts in 2 stages.
     • Stage 1: Tighten the nuts to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
     • Stage 2: Tighten the bolts to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).
6. Install the engine roll restrictor bolt.
   • Tighten to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).
7. Connect the 2 EPAS electrical connectors and the wiring retainer.
8. For early build vehicles, install the EPAS connector shield and the 2 bolts.
   • Tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).

Vehicles equipped with 3.0L engines 

9. Install the exhaust flexible pipe. For additional information, refer to INSTALLATION .

   Vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines 

10. Install the 2 bolts, 2 nuts and the exhaust bracket with U-clamp.
    • Tighten to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft).

    All vehicles 

11. Position the outer tie-rod ends and install the 2 nuts.
    • Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
    • Install 2 new cotter pins.
12. Install the LH and RH splash shield and the 6 pin-type retainers.
13. Install the RH and LH fender splash shields and the 4 screws from each side.
14. If equipped, install the underbody splash shield and bolts.
    • Tighten to 7 Nm (62 lb-in).
NOTE: The steering gear/dash seal must be fully seated in the steering gear valve tower groove before the retaining clips are fully engaged into the body. If the steering gear/dash seal is not seated to the steering gear valve tower groove and the clips are not fully engaged to the body, water and foreign material may enter the passenger compartment and damage the vehicle interior.
15. Applying hand force to the center of the seal, install the steering gear/dash seal onto the steering gear valve tower until the seal is fully seated in the valve tower groove.
16. Install the steering gear/dash seal until the retaining clips are fully engaged into the body.
    Fig 1: Locating Steering Gear/Dash Seal Retaining Clips

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
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 INSTALLATION .
17. With the locator on the input shaft properly aligned, connect the steering column shaft to the steering gear and install the new bolt.
    • Tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in).
18. Install the lower steering column shaft joint cover and the 2 nuts.
19. When installing a new steering gear, it must be configured (using vehicle as-built data or module configuration information retrieved earlier in this procedure). For additional information on configuration, refer to PROGRAMMABLE MODULE INSTALLATION (PMI) .