Instrument Panel

Instrument Panel

Removal and Installation

1. Remove the steering wheel. For additional information, refer to Steering Column Steering Wheel.

2. Remove the floor console. For additional information, refer to Console - Floor, Fusion, Milan Console - Floor or Console - Floor, MKZ Console - Floor.

3. Remove the selector lever or the gearshift lever. For additional information, refer to Service and Repair.

4. Remove the LH and RH instrument panel side finish panels.
- Pull the sides of the instrument panel side finish panels away from the instrument panel to release the retaining tabs.

5. Remove the LH and RH weatherstrips from the front door openings near the instrument panel.

6. Remove the LH and RH A-pillar trim panels. For additional information, refer to Interior Trim and Ornamentation Service and Repair.

7. Remove the LH and RH lower cowl panels. For additional information, refer to Interior Trim - Exploded View in Interior Trim and Ornamentation Interior Trim - Exploded View.

8. If equipped, remove the RH lower instrument panel insulator.

9. Disconnect the 2 electrical connectors located at the LH lower cowl.





10. Disconnect the small gray and the black electrical connectors from the Smart Junction Box (SJB).





11. Remove the 2 screws and position the hood release handle aside.





12. Disconnect the bulkhead electrical connector and the antenna cable located at the RH lower cowl. If equipped, disconnect the satellite antenna.





13. Fully lower the glove compartment door and disconnect the 2 A/C electrical connectors.





14. Disconnect the electrical connector and the 2 wire harness retainers located on the floor between the front seats.





15. Remove the 2 nuts and position the steering column pinch bolt cover aside.





16. Remove and discard the steering column shaft bolt.
- To install, use a new steering column shaft bolt and tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in).





17. NOTE: Index-mark the steering column shaft position to the steering gear for reference during installation.

Detach the upper steering column shaft from the steering column.

18. Disconnect the in-vehicle temperature sensor aspirator hose from the heater core and evaporator core housing, if equipped, in the following sequence.

1. Separate the aspirator hose retaining clips away from the heater core and evaporator core housing.

2. Pull the aspirator hose away from the heater core and evaporator core housing.





19. Remove the Instrument Cluster (IC). For additional information, refer to Instrumentation, Message Center, and Warning Chimes Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC).

20. Through the IC opening, remove the 2 IC opening bolts.
- To install, tighten to 23 Nm (17 lb-ft).

21. Remove the 3 instrument panel center support bolts.
- To install, tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in).

22. Remove the LH and RH instrument panel lower bolts from the outer sides of the instrument panel.
- To install, tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in).

23. NOTICE: To avoid damaging the instrument panel, the aid of an assistant is required to carry out this step.

NOTICE: Make sure that all electrical connectors and wiring are not hindered before removing the instrument panel or damage to the components may occur.

Remove the instrument panel.

- Through the instrument panel side finish panel openings, remove the 3 instrument panel side bolts.

- To install, tighten to 23 Nm (17 lb-ft).

24. NOTICE: To avoid damaging the instrument panel, the aid of an assistant is required when positioning the instrument panel to the vehicle.

NOTICE: Make sure that all electrical connectors and wiring are correctly routed when installing the instrument panel or damage to the components may occur.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.