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Home >> Ford >> 2009 >> Flex Limited, FWD >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 918 (Instrument Panel And Console) >> Removal And Installation >> Instrument Panel >> Removal >> All vehicles

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WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Ford Ranger. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Depower the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.
  2. Lock the steering column.
  3. Remove the front seats. For additional information, refer to SEATING article.
  4. Remove the 2 screws and position the parking brake release handle aside.
    Fig 1: Locating Screws On Parking Brake Release Handle Aside
    GF0008626Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  5. Remove the front door scuff plates.
  6. Remove the LH and RH cowl side trim panels.
    1. Remove the pin-type retainer.
      Fig 2: Locating Pin-Type Retainer
      GF0008627Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    2. Remove the cowl side trim panel.
  7. Remove the 2 screws and position the hood release handle aside.
    Fig 3: Locating Screws & Hood Release Handle Aside
    GF0008628Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  8. Remove the instrument panel steering column opening cover.
    Fig 4: Locating Instrument Panel Steering Column Opening Cover Screws
    GF0008629Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • Remove the 2 screws.
    • Remove the cover.
  9. Remove the instrument panel steering column opening cover reinforcement.
    Fig 5: Identifying Instrument Panel Steering Column Opening Cover Reinforcement Bolts
    GF0008630Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • Remove the 5 bolts.
      • To install, tighten to 8 N.m (71 lb-in).
    • Remove the reinforcement.
  10. Disconnect the brake pedal position (BPP) switch electrical connector.
    Fig 6: Locating Brake Pedal Position (BPP) Switch Electrical Connector
    GF0008631Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  11. If equipped, disconnect the clutch pedal position (CPP) switch electrical connector.
    Fig 7: Locating Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) Switch Electrical Connector
    GF0008632Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  12. If equipped, disconnect the transmission shift cable from the steering column.
    Fig 8: Disconnecting Transmission Shift Cable From Steering Column
    GF0008633Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • Disconnect the cable from the steering column shift tube lever.
    • Disconnect the cable from the steering column bracket.
  13. CAUTION: Do not allow the steering column shaft to rotate while the lower 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 SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.
    Fig 9: Locating Steering Column Pinch Bolt
    GF0008634Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  14. Remove and discard the steering column pinch bolt and disconnect the steering column intermediate shaft.
      NOTE: A new steering column pinch bolt must be installed.
    • To install, tighten to 28 N.m (21 lb-ft).
  15. NOTE: RH A-pillar trim panel shown, LH similar.
    Fig 10: Removing A-Pillar Trim Panels
    GF0008635Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  16. Remove the LH and RH A-pillar trim panels.
    • Remove the bolt covers and remove the bolts.
    • Remove the assist handle.
    • Remove the A-pillar trim panel.
  17. NOTE: LH weatherstrip shown, RH similar.
    Fig 11: Removing Weatherstrip From Door
    GF0008636Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  18. Remove the weatherstrip from the door.
  19. Disconnect the electrical connectors and the ground wire from the RH cowl side trim panel.
    Fig 12: Disconnecting Electrical Connectors & Ground Wire From RH Cowl
    GF0008637Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  20. Disconnect the LH side bulkhead electrical connector.
    • Press the release tab and pull the release lever.
      Fig 13: Locating Release Tab
      GF0008638Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  21. Remove the audio unit. For additional information, refer to INFORMATION AND ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS article.
  22. Lower the glove compartment.
    • Press the release tabs inward while lowering the compartment.
      Fig 14: Pressing Glove Compartment Release Tabs Inward
      GF0008639Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  23. Through the glove compartment opening, disconnect the blend door actuator electrical connector.
    Fig 15: Locating Blend Door Actuator Electrical Connector
    GF0008640Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  24. Through the glove compartment opening, disconnect the climate control vacuum harness connector.
    Fig 16: Locating Climate Control Vacuum Harness Connector
    GF0008641Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  25. Raise and secure the glove compartment.
    • Press the release tabs inward while raising the glove compartment.
      Fig 17: Pressing Release Tabs Inward While Raising Glove Compartment
      GF0008642Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  26. Remove the instrument panel defroster opening grille.
    Fig 18: Locating Defroster Opening Grill
    GF0008643Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  27. Remove the instrument panel cowl top bolts.
    Fig 19: Locating Instrument Panel Cowl Top Bolts
    GF0008644Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • To install, tighten to 30 N.m (22 lb-ft).
  28. If equipped, remove the floor console. For additional information, refer to Floor Console  in this article.
  29. If not equipped with high-series floor console, remove the consolette mat.
    Fig 20: Locating Consolette Mat
    GF0008645Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  30. Remove the screws and remove the restraints control module (RCM) cover.
    Fig 21: Locating Restraints Control Module (RCM) Cover Screws
    GF0008646Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  31. Remove the consolette base.
    Fig 22: Locating Consolette Base Screws
    GF0008647Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • Remove the screws and remove the base.


  1. Disconnect the RCM electrical connector.
    • Release the locking tab.
    • Disconnect the RCM electrical connector and ground strap bolt.
      Fig 1: Identifying RCM Electrical Connector & Ground Strap Bolt
      GF0008649Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  2. Pull the floor carpeting back.
    Fig 2: Pulling Floor Carpeting Back
    GF0008650Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.


  1. Remove the instrument panel side finish panel.
    Fig 1: Locating Instrument Panel Side Finish Panel
    GF0008653Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  2. Disconnect the door harness electrical connector.
    Fig 2: Locating Door Harness Electrical Connector
    GF0008654Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  3. Remove the RH side instrument panel bolt.
    Fig 3: Locating RH Side Instrument Panel Bolt
    GF0008655Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • To install, tighten to 30 N.m (22 lb-ft).
  4. Remove the LH instrument panel cowl side bolts.
    Fig 4: Locating LH Instrument Panel Cowl Side Bolts
    GF0008656Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  5. NOTE: An assistant is required to carry out this step.
  6. Position the instrument panel to gain access to the door harness electrical connector.
  7. Disconnect the door harness electrical connector.
  8. NOTE: An assistant is required to carry out this step.
  9. Remove the instrument panel.
  10. To install, reverse the removal procedure.