Steering Column - Clunking Felt Rocking Steering Wheel

Article No.
98-14-5

07/20/98

STEERING - "CLUNKING" FELT WHILE ROCKING
STEERING WHEEL SIDE-TO-SIDE

LIGHT TRUCK:
1996-98 ECONOLINE, EXPLORER, RANGER
1997-98 F-150, F-250 LD

ISSUE

A "clunking" may be felt on some vehicles with a fixed (non-tilt) steering column when applying a side-to-side load on the steering wheel. The lock cylinder housing and actuator housing are common between fixed and tilt columns. There is a clearance between the housings which is necessary for the tilt column, but in the fixed column application, this clearance can cause relative movement, allowing the clunk feeling.

ACTION

Add a plastic spacer in the LH pivot screw hole to reduce relative motion and clunk feel. Refer to the Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. For F-150/250 LD, remove steering column opening cover.

2. With a Phillips screwdriver, remove the (3) screws that attach the lower shroud to the upper shroud.

3. Separate (but do not remove) the upper and lower shroud so LEFT HAND steering column pivot screw is visible.





NOTE
ONLY REMOVE THE LEFT HAND PIVOT SCREW. THIS IS LOCATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN AS VIEWED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT (FIGURE 1).

4. With a Torx T30 tool, remove the LEFT HAND steering column pivot screw.

5. Insert Spacer (F87Z-3C549-AA) into the pivot screw hole and use a small screwdriver to push the spacer into the hole until it is seated (approximately 25mm).

6. Reinstall pivot screw and torque to 19-26 N.m (14-19 lb-ft).

7. Reposition the upper and lower shrouds and snap them together.

8. Reinstall the three (3) shroud attaching screws and torque to 0.7 to 1.1 N.m (6-10 lb-in).

9. Reinstall steering column opening cover (F.150/250 LD).

PART NUMBER PART NAME

F87Z-3C549-AA Steering Column Spacer

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage.

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

981405A Install Spacer 0.3 Hr.

DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
# 3C549 07

OASIS CODES: 303000, 702000, 703000