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Steering Column: Assembly

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. Install the steering column lock lever actuator and steering column lock actuator.
    1. Lubricate the steering column lock actuators.
      • Use long life grease.
    2. Install the steering column lock actuators.
    Fig 1: Installing Steering Column Lock Actuators
    G03247702Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  2. Install the steering column lock pawl.
    1. Position the steering column lock pawl.
    2. Drive in the steering column lock lever pin.
    Fig 2: Installing Steering Column Lock Pawl
    G03247703Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  3. Install the steering column lower bearing retainer.
    Fig 3: Installing Steering Column Lower Bearing Retainer
    G03247704Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    4. NOTE: The "UP" position of the bearing must be facing forward, toward the engine.
    Fig 4: Installing Steering Column Bearing And Sleeve
    G03247705Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  4. Install the steering column bearing and sleeve.
  5. Install the steering column bearing and sleeve so that the inner race is visible when installed.
  6. Install the ignition switch, aligning the ignition switch with the slot and index mark on the steering column.
    • Install the bolts.
    Fig 5: Installing Ignition Switch With Bolts
    G03247706Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    7. Vehicles With Column Shift 

  7. Install the transmission control selector lever spring clip and the gearshift lever socket bushings on the shift tube.
    • Coat the gearshift lever socket bushings with long-life grease.
    Fig 6: Installing Transmission Control Selector Lever Spring Clip And Gearshift Lever Socket Bushings On Shift Tube (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247707Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  8. Install the column shift selector lever plunger.
    • Coat the column shift selector plunger with long-life grease.
    Fig 7: Installing Column Shift Selector Lever Plunger (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247708Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  9. Position the gearshift lever in the shift tube.
    Fig 8: Positioning Gearshift Lever In Shift Tube (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247709Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    10. CAUTION: Gearshift lever pin (7G357) must be installed correctly or first gear position may be blocked.
    Fig 9: Installing Gearshift Lever Pin In Shift Tube (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247710Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  10. Install the gearshift lever pin in the shift tube.
  11. Install the gearshift selector tube spring in the shift tube.
    • Coat the end of the spring with long-life grease.
    Fig 10: Installing Gearshift Selector Tube Spring In Shift Tube (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247711Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  12. Install the transmission selector lever arm and support on the shift tube.
    1. Position the transmission selector lever arm and support.
    2. Install the bolts.
    Fig 11: Installing Transmission Selector Lever Arm And Support On Shift Tube (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247712Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  13. Install the shift tube and clamps.
    Fig 12: Installing Shift Tube And Clamps (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247713Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  14. Position the brake shift interlock solenoid and install the bolts.
    Fig 13: Installing Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid Bolts (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247714Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  15. Install the parking brake release switch and screws.
    Fig 14: Installing Parking Brake Release Switch And Screws (Vehicles With Column Shift)
    G03247715Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    16. All Columns 

    CAUTION: Install the upper steering column bearing so that the inner race is visible when installed.
    Fig 15: Positioning Steering Column Upper Bearing In Steering Column Lock Cylinder Housing
    G03247716Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  16. Position the steering column upper bearing in the steering column lock cylinder housing.
  17. Using an appropriate bearing installer or socket, install the upper steering column bearing on the steering column lock cylinder housing.
    Fig 16: Installing Upper Steering Column Bearing On Steering Column Lock Cylinder Housing
    G03247717Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    18. CAUTION: Install the lower steering column bearing so that the inner race is visible when installed.
    Fig 17: Positioning Steering Column Lower Bearing In Steering Column Lock Cylinder Housing
    G03247718Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  18. Position the steering column lower bearing in the steering column lock cylinder housing.
  19. Using an appropriate bearing installer or socket, install the lower steering column bearing so that the inner race is visible when installed.
  20. Position the steering column shaft in the steering column lock cylinder housing.
    • Install the steering column bearing tolerance ring on the steering column shaft.
    Fig 18: Installing Steering Column Bearing Tolerance Ring On Steering Column Shaft
    G03247719Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  21. Install the steering column bearing sleeve.
    Fig 19: Installing Steering Column Bearing Sleeve
    G03247720Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  22. Install the steering column bearing spring (3C674).
    Fig 20: Installing Steering Column Bearing Spring
    G03247721Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  23. Install the snap ring.
    Fig 21: Installing Snap Ring
    G03247722Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  24. Install the turn indicator cancel cam.
    Fig 22: Installing Turn Indicator Cancel Cam
    G03247723Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  25. Install the lock cylinder housing screws loosely and position the steering actuator housing in a vise.
    Fig 23: Installing Lock Cylinder Housing Screws Loosely And Positioning Steering Actuator Housing In Vise
    G03247724Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  26. Position the steering column lock cylinder housing and the steering column shaft on the steering actuator housing.
    • Make sure the upper and lower steering column lock actuators are aligned.
    Fig 24: Aligning Upper And Lower Steering Column Lock Actuators
    G03247725Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  27. Position the steering column locking levers on the steering actuator housing.
    1. Use a shop fabricated tool.
    2. On tilt steering columns, install and compress the steering column position spring.
    Fig 25: Installing And Compressing Steering Column Position Spring
    G03247726Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  28. Position the lock cylinder housing and steering actuator housing, and tighten the lock cylinder housing screws.
    Fig 26: Tightening Lock Cylinder Housing Screws
    G03247727Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    29. With Column Shift 

  29. Position the gearshift lever and install a new gearshift lever pin.
    Fig 27: Positioning Gearshift Lever And Installing New Gearshift Lever Pin
    G03247728Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    30. All Vehicles 

  30. Install the steering column bearing tolerance ring.
    Fig 28: Installing Steering Column Bearing Tolerance Ring
    G03247729Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  31. Install the sensor ring and spring.
    Fig 29: Installing Sensor Ring And Spring
    G03247730Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    32. NOTE: The narrow section of the keyhole in the lock gear should be in the one o'clock position.
    Fig 30: Installing Steering Column Lock Gear
    G03247731Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  32. Install the steering column lock gear.
    • Use ignition lock grease to lubricate the steering column lock gear.
  33. Install the steering column lock housing bearing.
    • While the narrow section of the keyhole is at the one o'clock position and the tab inboard at the three o'clock position, rotate it counterclockwise.
    • Lubricate the steering column lock housing bearing with ignition lock grease.
    Fig 31: Installing Steering Column Lock Housing Bearing
    G03247732Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  34. Install the steering column upper bearing retainer firmly to engage the four retention tabs into the lock housing.
    Fig 32: Installing Steering Column Upper Bearing Retainer
    G03247733Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  35. Install the clockspring. For additional information, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
  36. Install the steering wheel. For additional information, refer to STEERING WHEEL .
  37. Install the steering column. For additional information, refer to STEERING COLUMN .
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