Steering Column: Disassembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Ford RV Cutaway, 2004 Ford Econoline, 2004 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2004 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

ALL VEHICLES

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, cautions, notes and instructions in the steering column removal and installation procedure. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

Remove the steering column. For additional information, refer to STEERING COLUMN .

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

Fig 1: Removing Bearing Retainer

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

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

Fig 2: Removing Steering Column Lock Housing Bearing
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the steering column lock gear.

Fig 3: Removing Steering Column Lock Gear
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

VEHICLES WITH TILT COLUMN

Remove the sensor ring.
1. Remove the steering column lower bearing spring.
2. Remove the sensor ring.
Fig 4: Removing Sensor Ring
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

VEHICLES WITH FIXED COLUMN

Remove the snap ring from the bottom of the steering column shaft.

Fig 5: Removing Snap Ring
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

ALL VEHICLES

Remove the steering column bearing tolerance ring from the steering column shaft.

Fig 6: Removing Steering Column Bearing Tolerance Ring From Steering Column Shaft
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the lock cylinder housing pivot screws.

Fig 7: 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.

Fig 8: Removing Steering Column Position Spring

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

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
Remove the snap ring.

Fig 9: Removing Snap Ring
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the steering column upper bearing spring.

Fig 10: Removing Steering Column Upper Bearing Spring
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the steering column bearing sleeve.

Fig 11: 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 12: Sliding Steering Column Bearing Tolerance Ring
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using a suitable punch, remove the steering column bearing from the steering column lock cylinder housing.

Fig 13: Removing Steering Column Bearing From Steering Column Lock Cylinder Housing
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

VEHICLES WITH TILT COLUMN

Use a suitable punch to 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.

ALL VEHICLES

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

Fig 15: Removing The Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the brake shift interlock solenoid.
1. Remove the bolts.
2. Remove the brake shift interlock solenoid and the shift selector position insert.
Remove the shift tube.
1. Remove the bolts.
2. Remove the shift tube clamps.
3. Remove the shift tube.
Fig 16: Removing The 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 17: Removing The Lever Arm And Support
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the gearshift selector tube spring.

Fig 18: Removing The Gearshift Selector Tube Spring
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Drive out the gearshift lever pin from the shift tube.

Fig 19: Driving Out The Gearshift Lever Pin From The Shift Tube
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the gearshift lever.

Fig 20: Removing The Gearshift Lever
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the column shift selector lever plunger.
- If it is bent, discard the plunger.
Fig 21: Removing The 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 22: Removing The Gearshift Lever Socket Bushings
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 23: Removing The Steering Column Lock Pawl
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the ignition switch.
1. Remove the bolts.
2. Remove the ignition switch.
Fig 24: Removing The Ignition Switch
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the lower steering column bearing and sleeve.

Fig 25: Removing The 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 26: Removing The 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 27: Removing The Upper Steering Column Lock Actuator
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.