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Removal And Installation: Wheel: Removal

WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.
WARNING: Air bag modules with discolored or damaged trim covers must be installed new, not repainted.
WARNING: Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. Replace and properly position the sensor or any other damaged supplemental restraint system (SRS) components, whether or not the air bag is deployed.
WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
NOTE: Make sure the wheels (1007) are in the straight-ahead position.
  1. Disconnect the battery cable (14301) and wait at least one minute.
    WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches. See AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS . The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar. To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).
  2. Remove the retaining screws and position the hood release handle out of the way.
    Fig 1: Removing Retaining Screws
    G01301918Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  3. Remove the lower steering column opening finish panel.
    1. Remove the two retaining screws from the lower steering column opening finish panel.
    2. Pull out to release the retaining clips and remove the lower steering column opening finish panel.
    Fig 2: Removing Lower Steering Column Opening Finish Panel
    G01301919Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  4. Remove the bolts and the lower steering column opening finish panel reinforcement.
    Fig 3: Removing Bolts
    G01301920Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  5. Disconnect the air bag sliding contact electrical connector at the base of the steering column.
    Fig 4: Disconnecting Air Bag Sliding Contact Electrical Connector At Base Of Steering Column
    G01301921Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  6. Attach the restraint system diagnostic tool to the vehicle harness side of the air bag sliding contact electrical connector at the base of the steering column.
    Fig 5: Attaching Restraint System Diagnostic Tool
    G01301922Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  7. Connect the battery ground cable.
  8. With the restraint system diagnostic tool connected to the vehicle harness side of the air bag sliding contact at the base of the steering column, prove out the air bag system. See AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
  9. Disconnect the battery cable (14301) and wait at least one minute.
    WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches. See AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS . The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar. To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).
  10. Remove the two steering wheel back cover plugs.
    Fig 6: Removing Two Steering Wheel Back Cover Plugs
    G01301923Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  11. Remove the two driver air bag module retaining bolts.
    Fig 7: Removing Two Driver Air Bag Module Retaining Bolts
    G01301924Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  12. Remove the driver air bag module.
    • Disconnect the driver air bag module electrical connector.
    • Remove the driver air bag module.
  13. Disconnect the steering wheel accessory electrical connector.
    Fig 8: Disconnecting Steering Wheel Accessory Electrical Connector
    G01301925Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  14. Remove and discard the steering wheel bolt.
    Fig 9: Removing And Discarding Steering Wheel Bolt (1 Of 2)
    G01301926Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    Fig 10: Removing And Discarding Steering Wheel Bolt (2 Of 2)
    G01301927Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  15. Use the 2-Jaw Puller or Steering Wheel Puller, as appropriate, to remove the steering wheel (3600).
    CAUTION: Removing the steering wheel without using a puller can damage the column bearings.
    Fig 11: Removing Steering Wheel (3600) (1 Of 2)
    G01301928Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    Fig 12: Removing Steering Wheel (3600) (2 Of 2)
    G01301929Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  16. Remove the steering wheel while routing the wires from the air bag sliding contact through the steering wheel.
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