Removal & Installation: CLOCKSPRING: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis, 1997 Lincoln Town Car, and 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Before proceeding, see SERVICE PRECAUTIONS . Disable SRS. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM .
CAUTION: When removing steering wheel, DO NOT use a knock-off type steering wheel puller, or strike steering wheel or shaft with a hammer. A sudden impact could damage bearing or collapse steering column.
Remove driver-side air bag module. See DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE . Ensure vehicle front wheels are in straight-ahead position and steering column shaft alignment mark is at 12 o'clock position. Remove steering wheel. See STEERING WHEEL .
Remove instrument panel moldings and trim panels as necessary to access lower steering column shroud. Remove steering column lower shroud.
Disconnect clockspring wire harness and apply 2 strips of tape across clockspring stator. See Fig 1 .Remove ignition switch lock cylinder and remove ignition key warning switch terminal wire. Detach main wiring mating connectors down steering column tube side.

Fig 1: Installing Tape Strips On Clockspring Before Removal
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove three air bag sliding contact retaining screws and pull air bag sliding contact off steering gear input worm gear and rack.