Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis and 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

All vehicles

CAUTION: Do not allow the steering wheel to rotate while the steering column intermediate shaft is disconnected or damage to the clockspring can result. If there is evidence that the intermediate shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered. For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM .

Place the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position and remove the ignition lock cylinder. For additional information, refer to HANDLES, LOCKS, LATCHES AND ENTRY SYSTEMS .
Depower the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM .

NOTE: Release the upper steering column shroud by pressing the sides inward.

Remove the upper shroud and the 3 screws holding the lower shroud to the steering column.
Disconnect the 3 multi-function switch electrical connectors.

Fig 1: Disconnecting 3 Multi-Function Switch Electrical Connectors
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the ignition switch electrical connector.

Fig 2: Disconnecting Ignition Switch Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles with column shift

Disconnect the brake shift interlock solenoid electrical connector.

Fig 3: Disconnecting Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the clockspring electrical connector.

Fig 4: Disconnecting Clockspring Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

All vehicles

Disconnect the electrical connector from the passive anti-theft system (PATS) sensor.
- Release the wiring harness pin-type retainer.
  
  Fig 5: Disconnecting Electrical Connector From Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) Sensor
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

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 can occur.

Disconnect the steering column adaptive load safety device electrical connector.
- Detach the wiring retainer.
  
  Fig 6: Disconnecting Steering Column Adaptive Load Safety Device Electrical Connector
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles with column shift

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 7: Disconnecting Transmission Range Indicator From Steering Column
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

All vehicles

Remove and discard the upper intermediate shaft-to-steering column bolt and disconnect the shaft.
- To install, tighten to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft).
Remove the 4 steering column mounting nuts and lower the steering column.
- To install, tighten to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft).

Vehicles with column shift

CAUTION: Carefully rock the vacuum connector from side-to-side to avoid damaging the parking brake release switch.

Fig 8: Disconnecting Parking Brake Release Vacuum Hose Extension From Parking Brake Release Switch

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Disconnect the parking brake release vacuum hose extension from the parking brake release switch.
Disconnect the shift cable from the shift lever and remove the retaining clip.
- Release the shift cable pin-type retainer from the steering column.
  
  Fig 9: Disconnecting Shift Cable From Shift Lever
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the steering column.

Vehicles with floor shift

Disconnect the key inhibit cable from the steering column.

All vehicles

NOTE: If installing a new steering column, remove the anti-rotation/packaging pin from the bottom of the column after the installation of the steering column shaft bolt.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.
- Repower the SRS. For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM .