Steering Column - Automatic Transmission: Disassembly

All vehicles 

1. Remove the steering column. For additional information, refer to STEERING COLUMN .
2. Remove the clockspring. For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.
3. Remove the ignition switch.
   1. Remove the 2 screws.
   2. Remove the ignition switch.
      Fig 1: Identifying Ignition Switch And Ignition Switch Screws

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Note the position of the ignition lock cylinder gear, bearing and bearing retainer prior to removal.
Fig 2: Locating Ignition Lock Cylinder Bearing Retainer
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
4. Remove the ignition lock cylinder bearing retainer.
5. Remove the ignition lock cylinder bearing.
   Fig 3: Locating Ignition Lock Cylinder Bearing

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
6. Remove the ignition lock cylinder gear.
   Fig 4: Locating Ignition Lock Cylinder Gear

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
7. Remove the selector lever pin and the selector lever.
8. Remove the sensor ring.
   1. Remove the steering column lower bearing spring.
   2. Remove the sensor ring.
      Fig 5: Identifying Steering Column Lower Bearing Spring And Sensor Ring

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
9. Remove the steering column lower bearing tolerance ring.
   Fig 6: Locating Steering Column Lower Bearing Tolerance Ring

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Tilt column shown in illustration, fixed column similar.
Fig 7: Removing Ignition Lock Cylinder Housing Screws
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
10. Remove the 2 ignition lock cylinder housing screws.
WARNING: Use care when removing the spring. The spring is under high tension and may release with great force. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
NOTE: Tilt column shown in illustration, fixed column similar.
11. Remove the ignition lock cylinder housing and the steering column shaft from the steering actuator housing.
    1. Using a shop fabricated tool, pry up on the steering column locking levers.
    2. Remove the steering column position spring.
       Fig 8: Identifying Shop Fabricated Tool And Steering Column Position Spring

       Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
12. Using a suitable tool, pry up on the flush surface of the turn signal cancel cam and remove it.
    Fig 9: Prying Flush Surface Of Turn Signal Cancel Cam

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
13. Remove the steering column upper bearing snap ring.
    Fig 10: Locating Steering Column Upper Bearing Snap Ring

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
14. Remove the steering column upper bearing spring.
    Fig 11: Locating Steering Column Upper Bearing Spring

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
15. Remove the steering column upper bearing sleeve.
    Fig 12: Locating Steering Column Bearing Sleeve

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
16. Remove the steering column upper bearing tolerance ring.
    1. Slide the steering column shaft in toward the ignition lock cylinder housing.
    2. Slide the steering column upper bearing tolerance ring off the steering column shaft and remove the shaft.
       Fig 13: Identifying Steering Column Shaft And Steering Column Upper Bearing Tolerance Ring

       Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
17. Using a punch, remove the steering column upper bearing (small) from the ignition lock cylinder housing.
    Fig 14: Removing Steering Column Upper Bearing (Small) From Ignition Lock Cylinder Housing Using Punch

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    Vehicles with tilt column 

18. Using a punch, remove the steering column lower bearing (large) from the ignition lock cylinder housing.
    Fig 15: Removing Large Steering Column Upper Bearing From Ignition Lock Cylinder Housing

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    All vehicles 

NOTE: If installing a new transmission shift selector position insert, make sure that the correct part is being installed.
Fig 16: Locating Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
19. Remove the 2 bolts and the brake shift interlock solenoid and the transmission shift position insert.
20. Remove the shift tube.
    1. Remove the 4 bolts.
    2. Remove the 2 shift tube clamps.
    3. Remove the shift tube.
       Fig 17: Identifying Shift Tube And Clamps

       Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
21. Remove the transmission shift arm assembly.
    1. Remove the 2 bolts.
    2. Remove the transmission shift arm assembly.
       Fig 18: Identifying Transmission Shift Arm Assembly And Bolts

       Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
22. Remove the spring.
    Fig 19: Locating Spring

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
23. Drive out the selector lever pin from the shift tube.
    Fig 20: Locating Selector Lever Pin

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
24. Remove the selector lever.
    Fig 21: Locating Selector Lever

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
25. Remove the column shift selector lever plunger.
    • If it is bent, replace the column shift selector lever plunger.
      Fig 22: Locating Column Shift Selector Lever Plunger

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
26. Remove the 2 selector lever socket bushings and the transmission control selector lever spring clip.
    Fig 23: Locating Gearshift Lever Socket Bushings And Transmission Control Selector Lever Spring Clip

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
27. Remove the steering column lock pawl.
    1. Drive out the steering column lock lever pin.
    2. Remove the steering column lock pawl.
       Fig 24: Removing Steering Column Lock Pawl

       Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
28. Remove the steering column lower bearing and sleeve.
    Fig 25: Locating Lower Steering Column Bearing And Sleeve

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
29. Remove the steering column lower bearing retainer.
    1. Remove the bolts.
    2. Remove the steering column lower bearing retainer.
       Fig 26: Identifying Steering Column Lower Bearing Retainer With Bolts

       Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
30. Remove the upper and lower steering column lock lever actuators.
    Fig 27: Removing Steering Column Upper And Lower Lock Actuator

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.