Steering Gear: Removal

All vehicles 

1. If installing a new steering gear, connect the scan tool and upload the module configuration information from the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM). For additional information, refer to MODULE CONFIGURATION SYSTEM .
2. Disconnect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, BATTERY MOUNTING & BATTERY CABLES .

   Vehicles with 5.4L (4V) engine 

3. Remove the battery and battery tray. For additional information, refer to Battery and Battery Tray-Exploded View in BATTERY, BATTERY MOUNTING & BATTERY CABLES .
4. Remove the Air Cleaner (ACL) outlet pipe. For additional information, refer to Intake Air Systems Components-Exploded View, 5.4L (4V) in INTAKE AIR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM & INTAKE AIR FILTERING SYSTEM .
5. Remove the 2 LH cowl vent screen plastic rivets.
   Fig 1: Locating LH Cowl Vent Screen Plastic Rivets

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
6. Lift the cowl screen and remove the ground strap bolt.
   • Detach the ground strap retainer from the cowl.
     Fig 2: Locating Ground Strap Bolt

     Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
7. Disconnect the brake booster vacuum hose quick connect at the engine.
8. Install the Engine Lifting Bracket.
   Fig 3: Installing Engine Lifting Bracket

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
9. Remove the LH engine mount nut.
   Fig 4: Locating LH Engine Mount Nut

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Lift engine approximately 45 mm (1.771 in) from the bottom of the engine mount to the bottom of the engine bracket ensuring that no contact is made with the bulk head or damage to components may occur.
10. Install the Engine Support Bar.
    • Using the Engine Lifting Bracket and Engine Support Bar, raise the LH side of the engine to gain clearance for removal of the LH steering gear mounting bolt.
      Fig 5: Installing Engine Support Bar

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    All vehicles 

11. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
12. Remove the starter solenoid terminal cover.
    Fig 6: Locating Solenoid Terminal Cover

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
13. Remove the 2 nuts and disconnect the 2 wires from the starter solenoid.
    Fig 7: Locating Starter Solenoid Nuts And Wire

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
14. Position the wheels to gain access to the steering column shaft coupling-to-steering gear bolt.
NOTE: Do not allow the steering column to rotate while the steering column shaft is disconnected from the steering gear or damage to the clockspring may occur. If there is evidence that the steering column has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered. For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM .
15. Remove the steering column shaft coupling-to-steering gear bolt.
    • Discard the bolt.
NOTE: Use a steering wheel holding device (such as Hunter® 28-75-1 or equivalent).
Fig 8: Holding Steering Wheel In Straight-Ahead Position Using Suitable Holding Device
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
16. Using a suitable holding device, hold the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.
NOTE: The steering column shaft coupling will not be completely separated from the steering gear.
17. Slide the steering column shaft coupling upwards on the steering gear input shaft.
18. Remove the wheels and tires. For additional information, refer to WHEELS & TIRES .
19. Remove and discard the 2 tie-rod end nuts.
NOTE: Do not use a hammer to separate the outer tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle may result.
Fig 9: Disconnecting Tie-Rod End From Wheel Knuckles
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
20. Using the Ball Joint Separator, separate the tie-rod ends from the wheel knuckles.
21. Remove the 9 screws and the lower splash shield.
    Fig 10: Locating Lower Splash Shield Screws

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
22. If equipped, loosen the 2 crossmember brace nuts.
23. If equipped, remove the 6 crossmember brace bolts and the crossmember brace.

    Vehicles with automatic transmission 

24. Remove the 2 transmission cooler line bracket nuts and position tubes aside.

    All vehicles 

25. Remove the 4 rearward subframe crossmember brace nuts and crossmember brace.
NOTE: The ignition must be off when disconnecting Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) electrical connectors. Failure to follow this direction may lead to DTCs being set in the EPAS module that can not be cleared, and result in the need to install a new EPAS assembly.
26. Release the 2 red Connector Position Assurance (CPA) features and disconnect the 2 Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) electrical connectors.
    • Detach the wiring harness pin-type retainers.
      Fig 11: Locating Wiring Harness Pin-Type Retainers

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: If equipped with a 5.4L (4V) engine, it may be necessary to use a pry bar between the LH engine mount and engine bracket, pulling the engine forward slightly to remove LH steering gear bolt
27. Remove the 3 steering gear bolts and the steering gear.
    • Discard the bolts.