Removal and Installation
When servicing collapsible steering columns, care should be exercised since they are extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping of or leaning on column or striking sharp blows on end of steering shaft or shift levers could loosen or shear plastic fasteners which maintain column rigidity. It is important that only the specified screws, bolts and nuts be used during the mandatory reassembly sequence and torqued to specifications to insure proper breakaway action of column under impact. Avoid using excessively long bolts as they may prevent a portion of the steering column from collapsing under impact. When removing or installing, steering wheel, ignition switch or lock, turn signal switch, adjusting transmission linkage, or installing and adjusting neutral-start or back-up light switch, refer to appropriate car chapter. If a shift tube shows a sheared plastic injection, a new shift tube must be installed. If a steering shaft shows a sheared plastic, or if the steering column has been collapsed a complete new column must be installed. On some models, the attaching brackets will shear under impact and must also be replaced.
Fig. 1 Fixed steering column installation (Typical). 1983 Mark VI; 1982---87 Ford & Mercury; 1982---87 Town Car:
Fig. 2 Tilt steering column installation (Typical). 1982---83 Mark VI; 1982---87 Ford & Mercury; 1982---87 Town Car:
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:
1982---83 MARK VI; 1982---87 FORD & MERCURY; 1982---87 TOWN CAR
Refer to Figs. 1 through 4 for steering column installation and component identification.
Removal
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove steering wheel from steering shaft.
3. Remove bolt attaching steering column shaft to lower steering shaft assembly, then disengage safety strap and bolt assembly from flexible coupling.
4. Disconnect transmission shift rod from control lever. The old grommet must be replaced with a new one using tool No. T67P-7341A, or equivalent.
5. Remove steering column trim shrouds. Also remove steering column cover and hood release mechanism from under steering column.
6. Disconnect wire connectors from turn signal, windshield wiper/washer, ignition, horn and headlight dimmer switches.
7. Loosen four steering column to brake pedal support attaching nuts and lower steering column to gain access to the PRND21 lever and cable assembly. Use care not to lower column so far that lever or cable become damaged due to weight of column.
8. Reach between steering column and instrument panel and lift cable off PRND21 lever cleat, then remove cable clamp from steering column tube.
9. Remove four dust boot to dash panel attaching screws.
10. Remove four nuts attaching steering column to brake pedal support, then lower steering column to clear the four mounting bolts and remove column assembly from vehicle.
Installation
1. Insert U-joint assembly through opening in dash panel.
2. Align four bolts on brake pedal support with bolt holes on column collar and bracket, then loosely install attaching nuts so that there is clearance between column and instrument panel.
3. Loosely assemble PRND21 cable clamp to steering column outer tube, then reach between instrument panel and column and attach cable to cleat on lever.
4. Torque the four nuts attaching steering column to brake pedal support to 20 to 37 ft. lbs.
5. Place transmission selector lever into Drive position, then rotate PRND21 bracket until the pointer on the instrument cluster aligns with D and tighten bracket nut.
6. Connect wire connectors to ignition, turn signal, windshield wiper/washer, horn and headlight dimmer switches.
7. Slide lower steering shaft assembly into steering column shaft, then install nut and bolt and torque to 35 to 45 ft. lbs. Pry lower shaft back and forth to obtain a ±{1-8} inch coupling insulator flatness.
8. Connect shift rod to shift lever using tool No. T67P-7341A, or equivalent, then adjust transmission shift linkage as described elsewhere in this manual.
9. Engage dust boot at end of steering column to dash panel opening, then install four dust boot attaching screws.
10. Install steering column trim shrouds.
11. Install hood release mechanism and steering column cover.
12. Install steering wheel on steering shaft.
13. Connect battery ground cable and check steering column operation.