Steering Column: Disassembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Ford RV Cutaway, 2005 Ford Econoline, 2005 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2005 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove the steering column. For additional information, refer to STEERING COLUMN .
Remove the steering wheel. For additional information, refer to STEERING WHEEL in this section.
Remove the clockspring. For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM .
Remove the 2 screws and the multi-function switch.

Fig 1: Removing Screws And Multi-Function Switch
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Carefully note the position of the steering column lock gear, bearing and retainer prior to removal.

Fig 2: Removing Bearing Retainer

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the bearing retainer.
Remove the steering column lock housing bearing.

Fig 3: Removing Steering Column Lock Housing Bearing
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the steering column lock gear.

Fig 4: Identifying Steering Column Lock Gear
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the sensor ring.
1. Remove the steering column lower bearing spring.
2. Remove the sensor ring.
  
  Fig 5: Removing Sensor Ring
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the snap ring from the bottom of the steering column shaft.

Fig 6: Removing Snap Ring From Bottom Of Steering Column Shaft
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the steering column bearing tolerance ring from the steering column shaft.

Fig 7: Removing Steering Column Bearing Tolerance Ring From Steering Column Shaft
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the lock cylinder housing pivot screws.

Fig 8: Removing Lock Cylinder Housing Pivot Screws
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

WARNING: Be careful when removing the steering column position spring. The spring is under the tension and may eject with great force. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

Remove the steering column lock cylinder housing and the steering column shaft from the steering actuator housing.
1. Pry up on the steering column locking levers using a shop-fabricated tool.
2. On tilt steering columns, remove the steering column position spring.
  
  Fig 9: Identifying Locking Levers, Cylinder Housing & Spring
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the snap ring.

Fig 10: Removing Snap Ring
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the steering column upper bearing spring.

Fig 11: Removing Steering Column Upper Bearing Spring
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the steering column bearing sleeve.

Fig 12: Removing Steering Column Bearing Sleeve
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the steering column bearing tolerance ring.
1. Slide the steering column shaft in toward the steering column lock cylinder housing, then out.
2. Slide the steering column bearing tolerance ring off the steering column shaft.
  
  Fig 13: Sliding Steering Column Bearing Tolerance Ring Off Steering Column Shaft
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using a suitable punch, remove the steering column bearing from the steering column lock cylinder housing.

Fig 14: Removing Steering Column Bearing From Steering Column Lock Cylinder Housing
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Use a suitable punch to remove the steering column bearing from the steering column lock cylinder housing.

Fig 15: Removing Steering Column Bearing From Steering Column Lock Cylinder Housing
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: If installing a new shift selector position insert, make sure that the correct part is being installed.

Remove the brake shift interlock solenoid.
1. Remove the bolts.
2. Remove the brake shift interlock solenoid and the shift selector position insert.
  
  Fig 16: Removing Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid And Shift Selector Position Insert
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the shift tube.
1. Remove the bolts.
2. Remove the shift tube clamps
3. Remove the shift tube.
  
  Fig 17: Removing Shift Tube
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the transmission selector lever arm and support.
1. Remove the range bolts.
2. Remove the lever arm and support.
  
  Fig 18: Removing Lever Arm And Support
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  
  Fig 19: Removing Range Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the gearshift selector tube spring.

Fig 20: Removing Gearshift Selector Tube Spring
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Drive out the gearshift lever pin from the shift tube.

Fig 21: Removing Gearshift Lever Pin From Shift Tube
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the gearshift lever.

Fig 22: Removing Gearshift Lever
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the column shift selector lever plunger.
- If it is bent, discard the plunger.
  
  Fig 23: Identifying Column Shift Selector Lever Plunger
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the gearshift lever socket bushings and the transmission control selector lever spring clip.

Fig 24: Identifying Gearshift Lever Socket Bushings And Transmission Control Selector Lever Spring Clip
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the steering column lock pawl.
1. Drive out the steering column lock lever pin.
2. Remove the steering column lock pawl.
  
  Fig 25: Removing Steering Column Lock Pawl
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the ignition switch.
1. Remove the bolts.
2. Remove the ignition switch.
  
  Fig 26: Removing Ignition Switch
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the lower steering column bearing and sleeve.

Fig 27: Identifying Lower Steering Column Bearing And Sleeve
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the steering column lower bearing retainer.
1. Remove the bolts.
2. Remove the steering column lower bearing retainer.
  
  Fig 28: Removing Steering Column Lower Bearing Retainer
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the upper steering column lock actuator and the lower steering column lock actuator.

Fig 29: Removing Steering Column Upper And Lower Lock Actuator
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.