Steering Column: Removal

WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Carry a live side air bag module with the air bag and tear seam pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Do not set a live side air bag module down on the cover tear seam. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterward.

WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.

WARNING: Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for correct system operation. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. Install and correctly position a new sensor or any other damaged supplemental restraint system (SRS) components whether or not the air bag is deployed.

WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or installing a new front or side supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before repairing, installing new, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.
The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.
To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).

WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.

NOTE: If a seat equipped with a seat mounted side air bag system is being repaired the air bag system must be deactivated per the deactivation procedure contained in AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .

NOTE: Restraint system diagnostic tools must be installed under the seats in the side air bag to floor connector.

NOTE: Diagnostics or repairs are not to be carried out on a side air bag system or a safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) with the seat in the vehicle. Prior to attempting to diagnose/repair the side air bag system or a safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) the seat must be removed from the vehicle and the restraint system diagnostic tool must be installed in side air bag connector at the floor connector. The restraint system diagnostic tool must be removed prior to operating the vehicle.

NOTE: After diagnosing/repairing a seat system the restraint system diagnostic tool must be removed before operating the vehicle.

NOTE: A repair is made by installing new components only. If a new part is installed and the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and carry out the diagnostic procedure again.

NOTE: If a side air bag deployment took place, new seatback pad, trim cover, and side air bag module must be installed. The seatback frame should be installed if necessary.

ALL VEHICLES

Position the front seats forward.
Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
VEHICLES WITH SIDE AIR BAG
Disconnect the driver seat side air bag module electrical connector.

Fig 1: Disconnecting Driver Seat Side Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Connect the special tool to the driver seat side air bag module body harness electrical connector.

Fig 2: Connecting Special Tool To Driver Seat Side Air Bag Module Body Harness Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

ALL VEHICLES
Disconnect the driver side seat safety belt pretensioner electrical connector.

Fig 3: Disconnecting Driver Side Seat Safety Belt Pretensioner Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Connect the special tool to the driver side seat safety belt pretensioner body harness electrical connector.

Fig 4: Connecting Special Tool To Driver Side Seat Safety Belt Pretensioner Body Harness Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

VEHICLES WITH SIDE AIR BAG
Disconnect the passenger seat side air bag module electrical connector.

Fig 5: Disconnecting Passenger Seat Side Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Connect the special tool to the passenger seat side air bag module body harness electrical connector.

Fig 6: Connecting Special Tool To Passenger Seat Side Air Bag Module Body Harness Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

ALL VEHICLES
Disconnect the passenger side seat safety belt pretensioner electrical connector.

Fig 7: Disconnecting Passenger Side Seat Safety Belt Pretensioner Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Connect the special tool to the passenger side safety belt pretensioner body harness electrical connector.

Fig 8: Connecting Special Tool To Passenger Side Safety Belt Pretensioner Body Harness Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Lower the glove compartment.
- Depress the locking tabs.
Disconnect the passenger air bag module electrical connector.

Fig 9: Disconnecting Passenger Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Connect the special tool to the instrument panel harness side of the passenger air bag module electrical connector.

Fig 10: Connecting Special Tool To Instrument Panel Harness Side Of Passenger Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Lower the steering wheel air bag connector access cover.

Fig 11: Lowering Steering Wheel Air Bag Connector Access Cover
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the driver air bag module electrical connector.

Fig 12: Disconnecting Driver Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Connect the special tool to the instrument panel harness side of the driver air bag module electrical connector.

Fig 13: Connecting Special Tool To Instrument Panel Harness Side Of Driver Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Connect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
Prove out the air bag system. For additional information, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
Remove the special tool from the instrument panel harness side of the driver air bag module electrical connector.

Fig 14: Removing Special Tool From Instrument Panel Harness Side Of Driver Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Turn the pinion shaft to release the steering wheel from the column shaft.

Fig 15: Releasing Steering Wheel From Column Shaft
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the steering wheel.
1. Position the steering wheel rearward.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector.
  
  Fig 16: Removing Steering Wheel
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the upper steering column shroud.

Fig 17: Removing Upper Steering Column Shroud
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the lower steering column shroud.

Fig 18: Removing Lower Steering Column Shroud
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Apply two strips of tape across the air bag sliding contact to prevent accidental rotation when the air bag sliding contact is removed.

Fig 19: Applying Two Strips Of Tape Across Air Bag Sliding Contact To Prevent Accidental Rotation
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the air bag sliding contact.
- Remove the screws.
- Disconnect the electrical connectors.
  
  Fig 20: Removing Air Bag Sliding Contact
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the multifunction switch and headlamp switch electrical connectors.

Fig 21: Disconnecting Multifunction Switch And Headlamp Switch Electrical Connectors
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the wiring harness.

Fig 22: Disconnecting Wiring Harness
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
If equipped, disconnect the selector lever shift cable from the selector lever and bracket.

Fig 23: Disconnecting Selector Lever Shift Cable From Selector Lever And Bracket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the passive anti-theft system (PATS) transceiver module electrical connector and pin-type retainer.

Fig 24: Disconnecting Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) Transceiver Module Electrical Connector And Pin-Type Retainer
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the trim panel.

Fig 25: Removing Trim Panel
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the electrical connectors.

Fig 26: Disconnecting Electrical Connectors
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the boot aside.

Fig 27: Positioning Boot Aside
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove and discard the pinch bolt/nut and disconnect the steering column shaft from the flexible coupling.

Fig 28: Removing Pinch Bolt/Nut And Disconnect Steering Column Shaft From Flexible Coupling
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the steering column support bolt.

Fig 29: Removing Steering Column Support Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Loosen the nuts and remove the steering column.

Fig 30: Loosening Nuts And Remove Steering Column
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.