Steering Column: Removal

All Vehicles 

1. Prepare the vehicle for steering column removal.
   1. Make sure the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
   2. Disconnect the battery ground cable for at lease one minute to allow for the depletion of the restraint system backup power supply.
   WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, cautions, notes and instructions in the supplemental restraint system (SRS) deactivation procedure.
   3. Deactivate the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, see SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEACTIVATION AND REACTIVATION .
   4. Remove the steering wheel. For additional information, see STEERING WHEEL .
   5. Remove the clockspring. For additional information, see CLOCKSPRING .
2. Remove and discard the steering column shaft pinch bolt. Detach the intermediate shaft from the steering column yoke.
   Fig 1: Detaching Intermediate Shaft

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
3. Disconnect the electronic steering sensor and steering column release motor harness electrical connectors.
   Fig 2: Disconnecting Electrical Connectors

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

   Vehicles With Automatic Transmission 

4. While supporting the steering column, remove and discard the lock nuts. Remove the steering column.
   Fig 3: Removing Steering Column

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

   Vehicles With Manual Transmission 

5. While supporting the steering column, remove and discard the lock nuts. Lower the steering column.
   Fig 4: Lowering Steering Column

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
6. Disconnect the steering wheel lock actuator electrical connector.
   Fig 5: Disconnecting Steering Wheel Lock Actuator Electrical Connector

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
7. Remove the steering column.