Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Mercury Milan, 2010 Lincoln MKZ, and 2010 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

All vehicles

With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
Vehicles equipped with Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS)
Using a suitable holding device, hold the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.
NOTE: Use a steering wheel holding device (such as Hunter® 28-75-1 or equivalent).

Fig 1: Holding Steering Wheel
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 lower steering column shaft joint cover nuts and the cover.
Remove the bolt and disconnect the steering column shaft from the steering gear.
NOTE: Do not allow the steering column to rotate while the steering column shaft is disconnected from the steering gear or damage to the clockspring may occur. If there is evidence that the steering column has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered. For additional information, refer to REMOVAL .
- Discard the bolt.
Remove the steering gear/dash seal.
- To install, apply hand force to the center of the seal, install the steering gear/dash seal onto the steering gear valve tower until the seal is fully seated in the valve tower groove. Install the steering gear/dash seal until the retaining clips are fully engaged into the body.
NOTE: Remove the steering gear/dash seal or damage to the seal may occur.

NOTE: The steering gear/dash seal must be fully seated in the steering valve tower groove before the retaining clips are fully engaged into the body. If the steering gear/dash seal is not seated to the steering gear valve tower groove and the clips are not fully engaged to the body, water and foreign material may enter the passenger compartment and damage the vehicle interior.

Fig 2: Locating Steering Gear/Dash Seal
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

All vehicles
Remove the wheels and tires. For additional information, refer to REMOVAL .
Remove the bolts and the underbody shield, if equipped.
- To install, tighten to 7 Nm (62 lb-in).
Fig 3: Locating Underbody Shield Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown in illustration) from the LH and RH splash shields.

Fig 4: Locating Pin-Type Retainers - LH & RH Splash Shields
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 4 screws from each side and position the RH and LH fender splash shields aside.
NOTE: RH side shown in illustration, LH side similar.

Fig 5: Locating RH & LH Fender Splash Shields Screws
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

2.5L Hybrid
Remove the Motor Electronics Cooling System (MECS) bolt and position the MECS aside.
- To install, tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
Fig 6: Locating Motor Electronics Cooling System Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles equipped with Hydraulic Power Assist Steering (HPAS)
Remove the 3 power steering return line bolts.
- To install, tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).
Fig 7: Locating Power Steering Return Line Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 3 steering gear mounting bolts.
- To install, tighten to 107 Nm (79 lb-ft).
Fig 8: Locating Steering Gear Mounting Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the steering gear aside using mechanic's wire.
NOTE: The steering gear is not removed with the front subframe and must be positioned aside.

Vehicles equipped with EPAS
Remove the exhaust flexible pipe. For additional information, refer to REMOVAL .
Remove the 2 bolts and the Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) connector shield.
Disconnect the 2 EPAS electrical connectors and the wiring retainer.
Remove the EPAS ground wire bolt.
- To install, tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
All vehicles
Remove the bolt from the roll restrictor.
- To install, tighten to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).
Fig 9: Locating Roll Restrictor Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 lower stabilizer bar link nuts (one each side) and separate from the stabilizer bar.
- To install, tighten to 42 Nm (31 lb-ft).
Fig 10: Locating Lower Stabilizer Bar Link Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the RH and LH lower ball joint nuts.
- To install, tighten to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).
Fig 11: Locating RH & LH Lower Ball Joint Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using the Ball Joint Separator and the Adapter, separate the RH and LH ball joints.
NOTE: When the lower ball joint is separated from the wheel knuckle, the lower arm may strike the outer Constant Velocity (CV) joint boot with enough force to damage the boot clamp. This will result in a loss of grease from the outer CV joint. Place a block of wood, or similar item, between the lower arm and the outer CV joint to prevent the lower arm from striking the outer CV joint.

NOTE: Once pressure is applied to the ball joint with the Ball Joint Separator and the Adapter, it may be necessary to tap the wheel knuckle at the ball joint area to separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle.

Fig 12: Identifying Ball Joint Separator & Adapter
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the lower control arm-to-strut through bolts and flagnuts.
- To install, tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).
Fig 13: Locating Lower Control Arm-To-Strut Through Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 outer tie-rod end cotter pins and nuts.
- Discard the cotter pins.
- To install, tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
Using the Ball Joint Separator, separate the outer tie-rod ends from the knuckle.
NOTE: Do not use a hammer to separate the outer tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle may result.

Fig 14: Identifying Ball Joint Separator
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the Powertrain Lift Table under the subframe.

Fig 15: Positioning Powertrain Lift Table Under Subframe Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 4 front subframe support bracket bolts.
- To install, tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).
Remove and discard the 4 front subframe nuts.
- To install, tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
Lower the subframe from the vehicle.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.