Removal and Installation

AEROSTAR, BRONCO II & 1983-87 RANGER

Removal

The corrugated outer tube steering shaft column upper support bracket assembly and shrouds affect energy absorption on impact. It is absolutely necessary to handle these components with care when performing any service operation. Avoid hammering, jarring, dropping, or leaning on any portion of column. When reassembling column components, use only specified screws, nuts, and bolts and tighten to specified torque.
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove column steering shaft to lower steering shaft assembly attaching bolt, then disengage pot-joint from column shaft by collapsing intermediate shaft assembly.
3. Remove screws from underneath steering wheel and remove steering wheel hub cover. On deluxe wheels, pop off hub emblem. On sport wheels, unscrew hub emblem.
4. Disconnect horn switch wires by pulling spoke terminal from blade connectors.
5. On vehicles equipped with speed control, squeeze J-clip ground wire and pull it out of hole in steering wheel.
6. Remove horn switch assembly and disconnect horn and speed control wire as equipped.
7. Remove steering wheel retaining nut.
8. Using suitable puller, remove steering wheel from upper steering shaft.
9. Remove steering column trim shrouds.
10. On tilt columns, remove upper extension shroud by squeezing it at six and twelve o'clock positions and popping it free of retaining plate at three o'clock position.
11. Remove steering column cover located on instrument panel directly under column.
12. Disconnect all electrical connections to steering column switches.
13. Loosen but do not remove two steering column to brake and clutch pedal support bracket.
14. Remove three steering column toe plate/lower seal to dash attaching screws.
15. Remove two steering column to brake and clutch pedal support bracket attaching bolts.
16. Lower steering column and pull it out from vehicle.
Installation
1. Install steering column by inserting lower end of column through opening in dash panel.
2. Align steering column support bracket to brake and clutch pedal support bracket column mounting J-nut clips, then attach bolts loosely so that column hangs with clearance between column and brake and clutch pedal support.
3. Align steering column toe plate mounting holes with extruded dash holes.
4. Install three toe plate mounting screws, torquing to 12 ft. lbs. on Bronco II and Ranger and 11 to 17 ft. lbs. on Aerostar.
5. Torque two column support bolts to 15-22 ft. lbs. on Bronco II and Ranger and 11-17 ft. lbs. on Aerostar.
6. Connect steering column switches electrical connectors.
7. Slide lower steering shaft assembly onto steering column shaft and attach with bolt and nut, torquing to 26-34 ft. lbs. on Bronco II and Ranger and 30-42 ft. lbs on Aerostar.
8. Attach trim shrouds that cover steering column upper end, then snap upper extension shroud into place on tilt column.
9. Position steering wheel on end of steering wheel shaft, aligning mark and flats on steering wheel with mark and flats on shaft and ensuring that straight ahead steering wheel position corresponds to straight ahead position of front wheels.
10. Install steering wheel retaining nut, torquing to 30-40 ft. lbs. on Bronco II and Ranger and 23-33 ft. lbs on Aerostar.
11. Install horn switch assembly and connect horn and speed control wire, if equipped.
12. Install cover of trim emblem and the steering column cover on instrument panel.
13. Connect battery ground cable.
14. Check steering column for proper operation.