Removal & Installation: CLOCKSPRING: Removal

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

Before proceeding, see AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM . Ensure front wheels are in straight-ahead position. Remove driver-side air bag module and steering wheel. See STEERING WHEEL . Apply 2 strips of masking tape across clockspring to prevent accidental rotation. See Fig 1 .
Position steering column in fully down position. Remove tilt wheel handle and shank. Turn ignition lock cylinder to RUN position. Using appropriate size drift, push upward on cylinder release tab while pulling ignition switch lock cylinder outward. See Fig 2 . Remove 3 screws and lower and upper steering shrouds.
Remove screw and position Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) transmitter out of way. See Fig 3 . Remove key-in-ignition warning indicator switch. See Fig 4 . On models with column shift, remove shift indicator cable, remove screw and position shift indicator tube out of way.
On all models, route clockspring wire harness out of wire holders along steering column. Gently pry clockspring retaining clips to release them from steering column. See Fig 5 . Remove clockspring.

Fig 1: Securing Clockspring With Tape

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 2: Releasing Ignition Switch Lock Cylinder

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 3: Identifying Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) Transmitter

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 4: Identifying Key-in-ignition Warning Indicator Switch

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 5: Locating Clockspring Retaining Clips

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.