Steering Gear: Installation

All vehicles 

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary when installing a new component.
   1. Install the steering coupler
   2. Install the new steering coupler bolt.

      Torque: 22 lb.ft (30 Nm)

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   NOTE: The steering gear is shipped without the inner tie rods attached. The inner tie rods, bellows boots, bellows boot clamps and tie rod end jamb nuts are supplied in a kit and are to be installed after the steering gear is installed into the vehicle.
2. NOTE: It will be necessary to raise the LH side of the steering gear and slide it to the LH side of the vehicle, then rotate and raise the RH side of the steering gear in order to install it into the vehicle.

   Install the steering gear.

   1. Lift the LH side of the steering gear and slide it to the LH side of the vehicle.
   2. Raise the RH side of the steering gear and slide it to the RH side of the vehicle.

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3. NOTE: Only tighten the bolt finger tight at this stage.

   On convertible vehicles. If equipped. Install the steering gear bracket and the steering gear bracket bolt.

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4. NOTE: Only tighten the bolt finger tight at this stage.

   Install the new RH steering gear bolt.

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5. NOTE: Only tighten the bolt finger tight at this stage.

   Install the new LH steering gear bolt.

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6. On convertible vehicles. If equipped. Tighten the steering gear bracket bolt.

   Torque: 85 lb.ft (115 Nm)

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7. Tighten the new RH steering gear bolt.

   Torque: 148 lb.ft (200 Nm)

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8. Tighten the new LH steering gear bolt.

   Torque: 148 lb.ft (200 Nm)

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   5.2L 32V Ti-VCT 

9. Position the O2 sensor wire harness and attach the harness retainer to the oil pan.

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   5.0L Ti-VCT V8 (308kW/418PS) 

10. Attach the wire harness retainers to the oil pan.

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    6-Speed Manual Transmission - MT82 

11. Position the bracket for the wire harness and install the nut on the front of the RH engine mount bracket stud bolt.

    Torque: 35 lb.ft (47.5 Nm)

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    6-Speed Automatic Transmission - 6R80 

12. Position the brackets for the transmission cooling tubes and wire harness and install the nut on the front of the RH engine mount bracket stud bolt.

    Torque: 35 lb.ft (47.5 Nm)

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    3.7L Duratec (227kW/301PS) 

13. NOTE: Automatic transmission shown, manual transmission similar.

    Position the ground wire and install the bolt to the RH side of the engine.

    Torque: 35 lb.ft (47.5 Nm)

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14. 1. Connect starter motor solenoid wire and install the starter motor solenoid wire nut.

       Torque: 53 lb.in (6 Nm)

    2. Connect the starter motor solenoid battery cable and install the starter motor solenoid battery cable nut.

       Torque: 106 lb.in (12 Nm)

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15. Close the starter motor solenoid battery cable cover.

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    2.3L EcoBoost (231kW/314PS) 

16. NOTE: If equipped with 2.3L EcoBoost and automatic transmission.

    Position the tubes and install the transmission fluid cooler tubes bracket-to-transmission nut.

    Torque: 124 lb.in (14 Nm)

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17. NOTE: If equipped with 2.3L EcoBoost and automatic transmission.

    Install the transmission fluid cooler tubes bracket-to-engine mount nut.

    Torque: 35 lb.ft (48 Nm)

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18. Install the new engine oil filter.

    Material: Engine Oil - SAE 5W-30 - Synthetic Blend Motor Oil / XO-5W30-Q1SP (WSS-M2C946-B1)

    Torque:Stage 1: 71 lb.in (8 Nm) | Stage 2: 180 deg.

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    All vehicles 

19. On both sides. Position the new steering stop.

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20. Position the steering rack completely to the LH side.

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21. NOTE: Hold the steering gear rack while tightening the inner tie rod. Failure to hold the rack securely could result in steering gear damage.
    NOTE: The steering gear rack holding tool must be reversed to install the RH tie rod or damage to the rack and/or special tool may occur.
    NOTE: The holding tool can only be used on the LH side of the steering gear.
    NOTE: LH side shown RH side similar.

    On both sides. Using the special tool to hold the rack and an appropriate size crows foot wrench or open end wrench, install the inner tie rod and steering stop. Use Special Service Tool: 204-816 Rack Holding Tool.

    Torque: 89 lb.ft (120 Nm)

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22. NOTE: Install the steering stop using hand force only. Striking the steering stop may cause damage to the stop.
    NOTE: An audible click will be heard when the steering stop seats onto the inner tie rod. Make sure that the steering stop is fully seated and cannot be separated by hand.

    On both sides. Install the steering stop onto the inner tie rod using hand force only.

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23. On both sides. Apply the specified grease to the steering gear-to-bellows boot mating surface and bellows boot groove on the inner tie-rod.

    Material: Motorcraft® Premium Long-Life Grease / XG-1-E1 (ESA-M1C75-B)

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24. NOTE: LH side shown, RH side similar.
    1. NOTE: Make sure the steering gear bellows boot is positioned correctly over the steering gear housing bead and the groove in the inner tie rod.

       On both sides. Install the new steering gear bellows boot.

    2. On both sides. Install the new inner bellows boot clamp. Use the General Equipment: Boot Clamp Pliers
    3. On both sides. Install the new outer bellows boot clamp.

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25. On both sides. Thread the tie-rod end jam nut onto the inner tie rod.

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26. Position the EPAS gear wiring harness, clip the 4 wiring fasteners and connect the 2 electrical connectors.

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27. NOTE: Make sure steering gear is centered before connecting the steering column shaft. Damage to the steering gear and/or clockspring may result.

    Turn the steering gear input shaft completely to the right then completely to the left and return to the center position.

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28. NOTE: DO NOT hammer, pry or force steering column and column shafts during installation or removal. Failure to follow this instruction may cause damage to steering components that could lead to loss of steering control during vehicle operation and could result in serious personal injury or death.
    NOTE: DO NOT attempt to remove or install the steering column lower coupler at the steering gear without first loosening the steering column dash seal and fasteners. Failure to follow this instruction may cause damage to steering components that could lead to loss of steering control during vehicle operation and could result in serious personal injury or death.
    1. Connect the steering column shaft to the steering gear universal joint.
    2. Install the new steering column shaft bolt.

       Torque: 22 lb.ft (30 Nm)

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29. Inspect the steering column lower shaft. Refer to: Steering Column Collapsed Check .
30. 1. NOTE: If equipped.

       Position the V-brace and underbody shield and install the 6 V-brace bolts.

       Torque: 46 lb.ft (63 Nm)

    2. Install the underbody shield bolt.

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31. NOTE: If equipped.
    1. Position the underbody shield and install the 2 rearward underbody shield bolts.
    2. Install the 2 remaining underbody shield bolts.

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32. NOTE: If equipped.

    Install the 2 support brackets and the bolts.

    Torque: Bracket to subframe bolts.: 22 lb.ft (30 Nm) Bracket to cooler bolts.: 93 lb.in (10.5 Nm)

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33. NOTE: If equipped.

    Position the underbody shield and install the bolts.

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34. NOTE: If equipped.

    Position the underbody shield and install the bolts.

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35. On both sides. Install the tie rod end. Refer to: Tie Rod End .
36. 1. Position the steering column dash seal.
    2. Tighten the steering column dash seal nuts.

       Torque: 80 lb.in (9 Nm)

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37. Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock to assure the steering stops are fully seated.

    2.3L EcoBoost (231kW/314PS) 

38. Fill the engine with clean engine oil. Refer to: Specifications .

    Material: Engine Oil - SAE 5W-30 - Synthetic Blend Motor Oil / XO-5W30-Q1SP (WSS-M2C946-B1)

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    All vehicles 

39. When installing a new steering gear, it must be configured (using vehicle as-built data or module configuration information retrieved earlier in this procedure). Connect a scan tool and follow the scan tool instructions. Refer to: Module Configuration - System Operation and Component Description .
40. Check and if necessary adjust front toe. Refer to: Front Toe Adjustment .