Removal (Vehicles With 2.0L Engine)

NOTE: Make sure wheels touching the road are in straight ahead position.

Centralize steering and lock it in position.
Remove bolt and rotate clamp plate to disconnect steering column shaft from flexible coupling. See Fig 1.

CAUTION: When removing the floor seal do not damage the retaining clips.

Fig 1: Disconnecting The Steering Column Shaft From Flexible Coupling

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 2: Removing The Floor Seal

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Release retaining clips and disconnect upper retainer. Remove floor seal from bulkhead. See Fig 2.
Remove the pinch bolt, and flexible coupling from steering gear. See Fig 3.

Fig 3: Removing Flexible Coupling From Steering Gear
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the accessory belt drive. For 1998-99 models, see SPECIFICATIONS & DRIVE BELT ROUTING - CARS article in ENGINE COOLING. For 2000 models, see SPECIFICATIONS - CARS article in ENGINE COOLING.
Lower vehicle.
Remove accessory drive belt upper guard. See Fig 4.

Fig 4: Removing Accessory Drive Belt Upper Guard
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Detach power steering high-pressure line support bracket. See Fig 5.

Fig 5: Removing Steering High-Pressure Line Support Bracket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Detach coolant hose retaining bracket. See Fig 6.

Fig 6: Removing Coolant Hose Retaining Bracket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using a Power Steering Pump Pulley Remover 211-016 (T69L-10300-B) remove power steering pump pulley. See Fig 7.

Fig 7: Removing Steering Pump Pulley
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect power steering pressure (PSP) switch electrical connector and remove the PSP switch. See Fig 8.

Fig 8: Disconnecting PSP Switch
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect power steering pump high-pressure line union. Allow all fluid to drain into a suitable container. See Fig 9.

Fig 9: Disconnecting Power Steering Pump High-Pressure Line Union (2.0L Engine)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Raise and support vehicle.
Remove radiator splash shield. See Figure.
Remove lower splash shield. See Fig 10.

Fig 10: Removing Lower Splash Shield
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Detach bumper support brackets (both sides). See Fig 11.

Fig 11: Removing Bumper Support Brackets (Both Sides)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Detach the power steering fluid cooler lines retaining bracket. See Fig 12.

Fig 12: Removing Steering Fluid Cooler Lines Retaining Bracket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the catalytic converter from center muffler. See Fig 13. Discard gasket and nuts.

Fig 13: Disconnecting Catalytic Converter From Center Muffler
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Loosen front support insulator. See Fig 14.

Fig 14: Locating Front Support Insulator
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove rear support insulator center bolt. See Fig 15.

Fig 15: Removing Rear Support Insulator Center Bolt (2.0L Engine)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using a suitable transmission jack, support the front subframe assembly.
Loosen front subframe assembly retaining bolts two complete turns, remove front subframe rear retaining bolts. Lower the front subframe assembly to gain access to power steering gear. See Fig 16.
Disconnect power steering high-pressure line support bracket. See Fig 17.

Fig 16: Lowering Front Subframe For Access
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 17: Disconnecting Power Steering High-Pressure Line Support Bracket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.