Removal and Installation

All vehicles 

1. Remove the front wheels and tires. For additional information, refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
2. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
   • Remove the ignition key.
NOTE: Do not allow the steering wheel to rotate while the intermediate shaft is disconnected or damage to the clockspring can result. If there is evidence that the shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered. For additional information, refer to CLOCKSPRING .
3. Remove and discard the steering column coupling-to-steering gear bolt and disconnect the coupling from the steering gear.
   • To install, tighten the new bolt to 63 Nm (46 lb-ft).
4. From the engine compartment, loosen the 2 steering gear bolts.
5. If equipped, remove the 3 pin-type retainers and the steering gear shield.
6. Remove and discard the 2 outer tie-rod end nuts.
   • To install, tighten the new nuts to 80 Nm (59 lb-ft).
NOTE: Do not use a hammer to separate the tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle can result.
Fig 1: Separating Tie-Rod Ends From Wheel Knuckles Using Ball Joint Separator
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
7. Using the Ball Joint Separator, separate the tie-rod ends from the wheel knuckles.

   All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles (except Hybrid) 

8. Remove the rear transaxle insulator through bolt.
   • To install, tighten to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).
     Fig 2: Locating Rear Transaxle Insulator Through Bolt

     Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

   Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles with automatic transaxle - 2.5L 

9. Remove the 3 transmission damper bolts and the transmission damper.
   • To install, tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
     Fig 3: Locating Transmission Damper Bolts

     Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

   All vehicles 

NOTE: It may be necessary to lower the rear of the front subframe slightly to provide clearance for removing the steering gear bolts. For additional information, refer to the front subframe exploded view in REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
10. Remove and discard the 2 steering gear bolts.
    • To install, tighten the new bolts to 125 Nm (92 lb-ft).
NOTE: For All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles (except Hybrid), it is necessary to grasp the driveshaft by hand and apply slight downward pressure to obtain clearance for the removal of the steering gear.
11. Rotate the steering gear 90 degrees clockwise and remove it from the LH side of the vehicle.
12. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
13. Check and, if necessary, align the front end. For additional information, refer to ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS .