Ford F2UZ-3524-A
Steering Column, Upper

The service and repair of steering column shafts begins with preventing steering wheel rotation when disconnecting the steering column intermediate shaft since this helps avoid Clock Spring damage; when the shaft rotation occurs the Clock Spring needs removal for recentering. Start the procedure by uninstalling the pinch bolt then detach the intermediate shaft from the steering column and throw away the bolt. Start by investigating the steering gear housing dust shield until you can remove it while you unscrew the intermediate shaft pinch bolt. The complete removal can be achieved by sliding the intermediate shaft off the steering gear input shaft. You should perform installation by following the opposite steps from removal.

Servicing operations on the steering column shaft should start with placing the vehicle in NEUTRAL on a hoist. Disable the SRS system while placing the wheel straight ahead followed by key removal to lock the steering column. You must next take out the upper steering column-to-intermediate shaft bolt but tighten it to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.) when replacing this bolt. First shift the intermediary shaft dust boot aside before extracting the lower intermediate shaft-to-steering gear bolt which should be tightened to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.) when reinstalling. Reinstall the intermediate shaft through the opposite uninstallation method before you activate the supplemental restraint system (SRS). Do not allow the steering column shaft to move because intermediate shaft removal may damage the Clock Spring; if rotation happens you should remove and recenter the Clock Spring.

It is essential to prevent the steering column shaft from rotating throughout the intermediate shaft disconnect procedure since any movement might harm the Clock Spring; replace the Clock Spring if it shifts during this process. The first step involves removing the bolt which separates the intermediate shaft from the steering gear until the dust shield can be taken off the steering gear housing. First disconnect the lower pinch bolt from the intermediate shaft before taking it off the steering gear input shaft to finish removing it. The finishing steps of installation must match the previous steps that removed the components.

The steering shaft servicing and repairing process should start by hoisting your vehicle in NEUTRAL gear position. The maintenance process requires caution to prevent the steering column shaft from rotating without intermediate shaft connection because this can harm the Clock Spring system; the Clock Spring must be removed for recentering when rotation is detected. The first stage involves removing the lower steering column shaft-to-upper steering column shaft bolt since you will also discard it while working on the lower steering column shaft collapse. To reinstall this connection tighten it to 55 Nm which is equivalent to 41 ft. lbs. The upper steering column shaft must be extracted while discarding its bolt along with reinforcing the new bolt installation with torque of 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.). Follow the next step to remove the lower steering column shaft-to-steering gear bolt. Replace it with a new bolt that needs to be tightened to 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.). The procedure ends with backward execution of the removal steps.

Take out the intermediate shaft.

Reverse the removal procedure.

Remove the steering column coupling bolt and disconnect the steering column shaft from the coupling, compressing the steering column shaft before reinstalling and tightening to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).

Remove the steering column shaft-to-steering gear shaft bolt, then the steering column shaft-to-steering column pinch bolt to disconnect the steering column shaft from the steering column, and finally remove the steering column shaft.

Ensure that the steering column shaft does not rotate while the intermediate shaft is disconnected to prevent damage to the clockspring.

Ensure the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead position and the ignition switch is turned off to prevent damage to the clockspring.

Tighten the coupler bolt to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).

Preventing rotation is crucial to avoid damaging the air bag sliding contact.

Remove the dust shield from the steering gear housing.

Remove the dust shield from the steering gear housing.

Remove the bolt securing the upper intermediate shaft to the steering column assembly and take out the intermediate shaft from inside the vehicle, again discarding the bolt.

Remove and discard the lower steering column shaft-to-upper steering column shaft bolt, then collapse the lower steering column shaft.

Remove and discard the lower steering column shaft-to-upper steering column shaft bolt, then collapse the lower steering column shaft.

Remove the upper steering column shaft-to-steering column bolt and take out the upper steering column shaft, discarding the bolt.

The clockspring must be removed and recentered.

Remove the bolt that secures the upper intermediate shaft to the lower intermediate shaft at the midpoint connection.