FixVault

Steering Gear: Installation

All vehicles 

  1. Position the steering gear and install the 2 bolts.
    • Tighten to 165 Nm (122 lb-ft).
  2. Connect the 2 EPAS  electrical connectors and the wiring retainer.
  3. Position the wiring harness bracket and ground wire, and install the bolt.
    • Tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).
      Fig 1: Locating Wiring Harness Bracket Bolt And Ground Wire
      G08626709Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  4. Position the flap heat shields and install the bolt.
    • Tighten to 11 Nm (97 lb-in).
  5. Raise the subframe.
  6. Position the 2 subframe support brackets and loosely install the 4 bolts.
  7. Install the 2 front subframe rearward bolts.
    • Tighten the rearward bolts to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
    • Tighten the forward bolts to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).
  8. Tighten the 4 subframe support bracket bolts to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
  9. Install the 2 front and rear roll restrictor-to-subframe bolts.
    • Tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).

    Vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine 

  10. Install the RH and LH exhaust flexible pipes. Refer to EXHAUST SYSTEM .

    All vehicles 

  11. Install the 2 RH engine splash shield-to-subframe pin-type retainers.
  12. Position the underbody shield and install the 4 retainers.
  13. Position the 2 outer tie-rod ends and install the nuts.
    • Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
  14. Connect the stabilizer bar links and install the 2 nuts.
    • Tighten the new nuts to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
  15. NOTE: Do not allow the steering column shaft to rotate while disconnected from the gear or damage to the clockspring may occur. If there is evidence that the steering column shaft has rotated, remove and recenter the clockspring. Refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM .

    With the locator on the input shaft correctly aligned, connect the steering column shaft to the steering gear and install the new bolt.

    • Tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in).
  16. Install the wheels and tires. Refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .
  17. When installing a new steering gear, it must be configured (using vehicle as-built data or module configuration information retrieved earlier in this procedure). Refer to Programmable Module Installation (PMI) in MODULE CONFIGURATION .
  18. Check, and if necessary, adjust the front toe. Refer to SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .