Steering Wheel - Clunk/Looseness

88ford03

^ STEERING WHEEL - TILT STEERING COLUMN "CLUNK" OR SLIGHT "LOOSENESS"

^ NOISE - "CLUNKING" FROM STEERING WHEEL - VEHICLES WITH TILT STEERING

Article No. 88-4-9

FORD: 1987-88 ESCORT, EXP, TEMPO, THUNDERBIRD, CROWN VICTORIA

LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1987 CONTINENTAL 1987-88 TOPAZ, COUGAR, GRAND MARQUIS, LINCOLN TOWN CAR

ISSUE: A slight "looseness" or "clunking" noise in the steering wheel when making hard right or hard left turns may be caused by a tilt steering column shaft that is too long.

ACTION: To correct this, install a new design steering wheel bolt and a new design washer to shim the steering wheel hub. Refer to the following service procedure.

FIGURE 10:

1. Remove the horn pad.

2. Remove the steering wheel bolt and throw it away.

NOTE: DO NOT remove the steering wheel assembly.

3. Install the new steering wheel bolt (N804385-S100) and washer (390932-S), Figure 10. Torque to 23-33 ft.lbs. (32-44 N-m).

NOTE: Steering wheel MUST beheld firmly while torquing the bolt.

4. Reinstall the horn pad.

PART NUMBER PART NAME CLASS

N804385-S100 Steering Wheel Bolt S
390932-S Washer S

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Basic Warranty Coverage
OPERATION: 880409A
TIME: 0.3 Hr. DLR. CODING: Basic Part No. 3600 - Code: 56