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Steering Column: Disassembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Lincoln Town Car. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

    All Columns 

  1. Remove the steering column. For additional information, refer to STEERING COLUMN .
  2. Remove the steering wheel. For additional information, refer to STEERING WHEEL .
  3. Remove the clockspring. For additional information, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
    4. CAUTION: Carefully note the position of the steering column lock gear, bearing and retainer prior to removal.
    Fig 1: Removing Bearing Retainer
    G03247673Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  4. Remove the bearing retainer.
  5. Rotate 90 degrees counterclockwise and remove the steering column lock housing bearing.
    Fig 2: Removing Steering Column Lock Housing Bearing
    G03247674Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  6. Note the position of the key hole and remove the steering column lock gear.
    Fig 3: Positioning Of Key Hole And Removing Steering Column Lock Gear
    G03247675Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  7. Remove the spring and the sensor ring.
    Fig 4: Removing Spring And Sensor Ring
    G03247676Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  8. Remove the steering column bearing tolerance ring from the steering column shaft.
    Fig 5: Removing Steering Column Bearing Tolerance Ring From Steering Column Shaft
    G03247677Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    9. With Column Shift 

  9. Remove and discard the gearshift lever pin and then remove the gearshift lever.
    Fig 6: Removing Gearshift Lever Pin And Removing Gearshift Lever (With Column Shift)
    G03247678Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    10. All Vehicles 

  10. Remove the two lock cylinder housing pivot screws.
    Fig 7: Removing Two Lock Cylinder Housing Pivot Screws
    G03247679Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    11. WARNING: The steering column position spring is under compression and may come out with great force.
    Fig 8: Removing Steering Column Position Spring
    G03247680Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  11. Remove the steering column lock cylinder housing and the steering column shaft from the steering actuator housing.
    1. Pry up the steering column locking levers using a shop fabricated tool.
    2. On tilt steering columns, remove the steering column position spring.
  12. Remove the turn indicator cancel cam.
    Fig 9: Removing Turn Indicator Cancel Cam
    G03247681Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  13. Remove the snap ring.
    Fig 10: Removing Snap Ring
    G03247682Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  14. Remove the steering column upper bearing spring.
    Fig 11: Removing Steering Column Upper Bearing Spring
    G03247683Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  15. Remove the steering column bearing sleeve.
    Fig 12: Removing Steering Column Bearing Sleeve
    G03247684Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  16. 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 13: Sliding Steering Column Bearing Tolerance Ring Off Steering Column Shaft
    G03247685Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  17. Using a suitable punch, remove the upper steering column bearing from the steering column lock cylinder housing.
    Fig 14: Removing Upper Steering Column Bearing From Steering Column Lock Cylinder Housing
    G03247686Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  18. Use a suitable punch to remove the lower steering column bearing from the steering column lock cylinder housing.
    Fig 15: Removing Lower Steering Column Bearing From Steering Column Lock Cylinder Housing
    G03247687Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    19. Vehicles With Column Shift 

  19. Remove the screws and the parking brake release switch.
    Fig 16: Removing Screws And Parking Brake Release Switch (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247688Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  20. Remove the brake shift interlock solenoid.
    1. Remove the three bolts.
    2. Remove the brake shift interlock solenoid.
    Fig 17: Removing Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247689Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  21. Remove the shift tube.
    1. Remove the four bolts.
    2. Remove the two shift tube clamps.
    3. Remove the shift tube.
    Fig 18: Removing Shift Tube (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247690Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  22. Remove the transmission selector lever arm and support.
    1. Remove the two bolts.
    2. Remove the transmission selector lever arm and support.
    Fig 19: Removing Transmission Selector Lever Arm And Support (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247691Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  23. Remove the gearshift selector tube spring.
    Fig 20: Removing Gearshift Selector Tube Spring (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247692Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  24. Drive out the gearshift lever pin from the shift tube.
    Fig 21: Removing Gearshift Lever Pin From Shift Tube (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247693Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  25. Remove the gearshift lever.
    Fig 22: Removing Gearshift Lever (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247694Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  26. Remove the column shift selector lever plunger.
    • If it is bent, install a new column shift selector lever plunger.
    Fig 23: Removing Column Shift Selector Lever Plunger (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247695Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  27. Remove the two gearshift lever socket bushings and the transmission control selector lever spring clip.
    Fig 24: Removing Two Gearshift Lever Socket Bushings And Transmission Control Selector Lever Spring Clip (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247696Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    28. All Columns 

  28. Remove the steering column lock pawl.
    1. Drive out the steering column lock lever pin.
    2. Remove the steering column lock pawl.
    Fig 25: Removing Steering Column Lock Pawl
    G03247697Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  29. Remove the ignition switch.
    1. Remove the bolts.
    2. Remove the ignition switch.
    Fig 26: Removing Ignition Switch
    G03247698Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  30. Remove the lower steering column bearing and sleeve.
    Fig 27: Removing Lower Steering Column Bearing And Sleeve
    G03247699Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  31. Remove the screws and the steering column lower bearing retainer.
    Fig 28: Removing Screws And Steering Column Lower Bearing Retainer
    G03247700Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  32. Remove the upper steering column lock actuator and the lower steering column lock lever actuator.
    Fig 29: Removing Upper Steering Column Lock Actuator And Lower Steering Column Lock Lever Actuator
    G03247701Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
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