Steering Gear: Removal

All vehicles 

1. If installing a new steering gear, connect the scan tool and upload the module configuration information from the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM). For additional information, refer to MODULE CONFIGURATION .
2. Disconnect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .

   Vehicles with 5.4L (4V) engine 

3. Remove the battery and battery tray. For additional information, refer to BATTERY AND BATTERY TRAY - EXPLODED VIEW .
4. Remove the Air Cleaner (ACL) outlet pipe. For additional information, refer to INTAKE AIR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM & INTAKE AIR FILTERING SYSTEM , Intake Air Systems Components-Exploded View, 5.4L (4V).
5. Remove the 2 LH cowl vent screen plastic rivets.
6. Lift the cowl screen and remove the ground strap bolt.
   • Detach the ground strap retainer from the cowl.
7. Disconnect the brake booster vacuum hose quick connect at the engine.
8. Install the Engine Lifting Bracket.
   Fig 1: Identifying Engine Lifting Bracket

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
9. Remove the LH engine mount nut.
   Fig 2: Locating LH Engine Mount Nut

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
10. NOTE: Lift engine approximately 45 mm (1.771 in) from the bottom of the engine mount to the bottom of the engine bracket ensuring that no contact is made with the bulk head or damage to components may occur.

    Install the Engine Support Bar.

    • Using the Engine Lifting Bracket and Engine Support Bar, raise the LH side of the engine to gain clearance for removal of the LH steering gear mounting bolt.
      Fig 3: Identifying Engine Support Bar

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    All vehicles 

11. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
12. Remove the starter solenoid terminal cover.
    Fig 4: Locating Starter Solenoid Terminal Cover

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
13. Remove the 2 nuts and disconnect the 2 wires from the starter solenoid.
    Fig 5: Locating Starter Solenoid Nuts And Wires

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
14. Position the wheels to gain access to the steering column shaft coupling-to-steering gear bolt.
15. 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 SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM .

    Remove the steering column shaft coupling-to-steering gear bolt.

    • Discard the bolt.
16. NOTE: Use a steering wheel holding device (such as Hunter® 28-75-1 or equivalent).

    Using a suitable holding device, hold the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.

    Fig 6: Holding Steering Wheel

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
17. NOTE: The steering column shaft coupling will not be completely separated from the steering gear.

    Slide the steering column shaft coupling upwards on the steering gear input shaft.

18. Remove the wheels and tires. For additional information, refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .
19. Remove and discard the 2 tie-rod end nuts.
20. 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.

    Using the Ball Joint Separator, separate the tie-rod ends from the wheel knuckles.

    Fig 7: Disconnecting Tie-Rod End

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
21. Remove the 9 screws and the lower splash shield.
    Fig 8: Locating Lower Splash Shield Screws

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
22. If equipped, loosen the 2 crossmember brace nuts.
23. If equipped, remove the 6 crossmember brace bolts and the crossmember brace.

    Vehicles with automatic transmission 

24. Remove the 2 transmission cooler line bracket nuts and position tubes aside.

    All vehicles 

25. Remove the 4 rearward subframe crossmember brace nuts and crossmember brace.
26. NOTE: The ignition must be off when disconnecting Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) electrical connectors. Failure to follow this direction may lead to DTCs being set in the EPAS module that can not be cleared, and result in the need to install a new EPAS assembly.

    Release the 2 red Connector Position Assurance (CPA) features and disconnect the 2 Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) electrical connectors.

    • Detach the wiring harness pin-type retainers.
27. NOTE: If equipped with a 5.4L (4V) engine, it may be necessary to use a pry bar between the LH engine mount and engine bracket, pulling the engine forward slightly to remove LH steering gear bolt

    Remove the 3 steering gear bolts and the steering gear.

    • Discard the bolts.