Removal And Installation

Fig 1: Steering Column Nuts & Bolts With Torque Specifications

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

All vehicles 

1. Place the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.
2. Depower the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.
3. Remove the instrument panel steering column cover and reinforcement. For additional information, refer to Instrument Panel in INSTRUMENT PANEL & CONSOLE article.
NOTE: Release the upper steering column shroud by pressing the sides inward.
4. Remove the upper shroud and the 3 screws holding the lower shroud to the steering column.
   • To install, tighten to 2 Nm (18 lb-in).
5. Disconnect the 3 multifunction switch electrical connectors.
6. Disconnect the ignition switch electrical connector.
7. Disconnect the clockspring electrical connector.
CAUTION: The steering column is equipped with a safety device located at the bottom side of the column support. Make sure that the electrical connector and wiring retainer are disconnected prior to removing the column support-to-instrument panel nuts or damage to the safety device or wiring may occur.
8. Disconnect the steering column adaptive load safety device electrical connector.
Fig 2: Adaptive Load Safety Device Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles equipped passive anti-theft system (PATS) 

9. Disconnect the passive anti-theft system (PATS) sensor electrical connector.
   • Release the wiring harness pin-type retainer.
NOTE: Vehicles that are equipped with PATS do not have a steering column locking function that prevents the steering wheel/column from rotating.
10. Insert a 4 mm (0.157 in) Allen wrench (or equivalent) into the hole located on the underside of the tilt housing and secure it with a piece of tape. This will prevent steering wheel/column rotation once the steering column shaft has been disconnected.
Fig 3: Allen Wrench
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles without PATS 

11. Place the ignition key in the OFF position and remove the ignition key. This will prevent steering wheel/column rotation once the steering column shaft has been disconnected.

Vehicles with column shift 

12. Disconnect the shift cable from the shift lever and remove the retaining clip.
    • Release the shift cable pin-type retainer from the steering column.
13. Disconnect the brake shift interlock solenoid and overdrive cancel switch electrical connectors.
14. Disconnect the transmission range indicator from the steering column.
    • Remove the screw.
    • To install, tighten to 5 Nm (44 lb-in).
    • Release the cable from the shift selector arm.
Fig 4: Transmission Range Indicator & Cable
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
CAUTION: Carefully rock the vacuum connector from side-to-side to avoid damaging the parking brake release switch.
15. Disconnect the parking brake release vacuum hose extension from the parking brake release switch.
Fig 5: Parking Brake Release Switch Vacuum Hose Extension
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles with floor shift 

16. Disconnect the key inhibit cable from the steering column.

All vehicles 

CAUTION: Do not allow the steering wheel to rotate while the steering column shaft is disconnected or damage to the clockspring may result. If there is evidence that the steering wheel has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered. For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.
17. Remove and discard the upper steering column shaft-to-steering column bolt and disconnect the shaft.
    • To install, tighten the new bolt to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft).
18. Remove the 4 steering column nuts and the steering column.
    • To install, tighten to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft).
NOTE: When installing the steering column, remove the anti-rotation/packaging pin (new column) or the Allen wrench from the underside of the column after the steering column shaft boot has been installed.
19. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
20. Repower the SRS. For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.