Column Service

Fig. 3 Fixed steering column exploded view (Typical). 1982---83 Mark VI 1982---87 Ford & Mercury; 1982---87 Town Car:

Fig. 4 Tilt steering column exploded view (Typical). 1982---83 Mark VI; 1982---87 Ford & Mercury; 1982---87 Town Car:

Fig. 7 Column shift fixed steering column exploded view (Typical). Cougar, Cougar XR-7, Fairmont & Zephyr, Thunderbird:

Fig. 9 Column shift tilt steering column exploded view (Typical). Cougar, Cougar XR-7, Fairmont & Zephyr, Thunderbird, 1982---87 Lincoln Continental 1984---87 Mark VII:

MODELS W/MODULAR STEERING COLUMN EXC. ESCORT, EXP, LN7, LYNX, TEMPO & TOPAZ
Refer to Figs. 3, 4, 7 and 9 for component identification.

Removal & Disassembly
1. Remove steering column from vehicle as described previously.
2. Remove the two nuts and bolts which connect transmission gear shift shaft support bracket to steering column collar.
3. Remove C-clip retainer from upper end of shift cane assembly, then pull assembly down and out of bearing and washer located in lock cylinder housing and detent plate.
4. Inspect bearing. If damaged or excessively worn, replace using tool T67L-7341-A, or equivalent.
5. Pull the plastic transmission control selector lever opening cover from the upper shaft and allow it to hang on shift selector lever.
6. Using a small drift, remove roll pin which connects gear shift selector lever to shift cane upper shaft.
7. If shift selector lever spring and plunger assembly is damaged or excessively worn, replace by removing the two screws on the upper shift cane shaft.
8. If PRND21 lever is damaged or excessively worn, replace by removing the one screw on upper shift cane assembly.
9. Scribe a mark on upper shaft where the upper and lower shafts form a joint. Also, scribe marks on upper and lower shafts on one side only to assure that the two shafts will not be reassembled 180 degrees out of position.
10. Separate the upper and lower shift cane sections, then slide the lower shift cane support bracket off the lower shaft and replace the bushing if damaged or excessively worn.
11. Remove and discard the two steel anti-rattle clips.
Assembly & Installation
1. Install two new steel anti-rattle clips facing in the same direction in the grooves on the shift cane upper shaft. Install lower shift cane support bracket onto lower shaft, with bushing installed in bracket.
2. Using chassis grease, liberally lubricate the lower six inches of the shift cane upper shaft, then place lower shift cane shaft in a vise and install the upper shaft into the lower shaft to the scribed mark on the upper shaft. Use care not to damage the upper end of the shaft cane during assembly of the lower shaft. Check the scribed marks on the upper and lower shafts made during disassembly to make sure that the two shaft sections are not installed 180 degrees out of position.
3. Loosely install the plastic transmission control selector lever opening cover on shift selector lever, then insert selector lever through slot in upper shaft and install new roll pin. The tip of the selector lever should protrude through the upper shaft on the side of the plunger and spring assembly.
4. Install plastic transmission control selector lever opening cover on upper shaft, then insert upper end of shift cane into bearing and washer in lock cylinder housing and install the C-clip retainer. Make sure the shift selector lever mates correctly with the detent plate on lock cylinder housing.
5. Align lower support bracket with the two holes in steering column collar, then install the two nuts and bolts and torque to 14.5 to 22 ft. lbs.
6. Check shift cane for smooth operation. Lubricate selector lever, plunger, spring and detent plate with chassis lubricant.
7. Install steering column as described previously.