Removal & Installation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Lincoln Navigator, 2002 Ford Expedition, 2001 Lincoln Navigator, and 2001 Ford Expedition. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Disable air bag system. See appropriate AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article in RESTRAINTS. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait over 1 minute. Remove air bag nuts and washers from steering wheel. Disconnect air bag sliding contact harness connector from air bag sliding contact. Remove air bag module.
- Put front wheels in a straight-ahead position. Remove steering wheel bolt. Using a steering wheel puller, remove steering wheel. Apply 2 strips of masking tape across air bag sliding contact to prevent accidental rotation.
- Remove tilt wheel handle by unscrewing shank. Remove upper instrument panel steering column cover. See Fig 1. Remove central junction box cover. Remove 2 parking brake release lever retaining bolts and disconnect lever. Remove 2 hood release lever retaining bolts and disconnect lever.
- Remove 6 lower instrument panel steering column cover retaining bolts and remove cover. Remove 3 lower steering column shroud screws and remove shroud. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Using a punch or other suitable tool, push upward on ignition lock cylinder release tab while pulling out on cylinder. See Fig 2.
- Remove upper steering column shroud. Remove Passive Anti-Theft SYSTEM (PATS) transmitter retaining screw and remove transmitter. See Fig 3. Remove key-in-ignition switch warning indicator switch.
- Separate air bag sliding contact harness connector from retaining bracket and disconnect from harness. Remove harness from steering column retaining clips. Pry air bag sliding contact loose from steering column and remove. To install reverse removal procedure. If replacing air bag sliding contact assembly, use only new parts. Test system for normal operation.