Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mercury Marauder, 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis, and 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.

Please refer to the appropriate vehicle shop manual to determine location of the front air bag sensors.

The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.

To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).

Disconnect the battery ground cable. Wait at least one minute before proceeding with the procedure to allow the backup power supply to deplete its energy. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
Remove the lower steering column opening finish panel.
1. Remove the screw and position the parking brake release handle out of the way.
2. Remove the screw from the lower steering column opening finish panel.
3. Pull outward to release the retaining clips and remove the lower steering column opening finish panel.
  
  Fig 1: Releasing Retaining Clips And Removing Lower Steering Column Opening Finish Panel
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the five screws and the lower steering column opening finish panel reinforcement.

Fig 2: Removing Lower Steering Column Opening Finish Panel Reinforcement
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the four screws and the instrument panel reinforcement brace.

Fig 3: Removing Instrument Panel Reinforcement Brace
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the selector lever indicator cable aside.
1. Loosen the screw.
2. Disconnect the cable.
3. Position the selector lever indicator cable aside.
  
  Fig 4: Removing Selector Lever Indicator Cable
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the four nuts and lower the steering column.

Fig 5: Removing Nuts And Lowering Steering Column
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the three bolts and separate the shift lock actuator (3F752) and the transmission shift selector position insert (7A216) from the steering column.

Fig 6: Separating Shift Lock Actuator And Transmission Shift Selector Position Insert From Steering Column
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the electrical connector and remove the shift lock actuator and the transmission shift selector position insert.

Fig 7: Disconnecting Electrical Connector And Removing Shift Lock Actuator
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.