1969 FORD MUSTANG wheel alignment

03-02-10
Suspension

03-02-10

lower
arm
free
to
drop
as
coil spring

tension
is
eased.
If a
chain hoist
or a

jack that
has
a
narrow contact
pad is

to
be
used
on the
bumper
to
raise
the

car, distribute
the
load along
the

bumper
by
using
a
steel plate
3 or 4

inches long
as a
contact
pad to pre-

vent damaging
the
bumper.

2.
If the
ball joint
is
riveted
to the

arm, drill
a
1/8-inch
pilot hole
com-

pletely through each rivet. Then drill

off
the
rivet head through
the
pilot

hole with
a
3/8-inch drill,
and
drive

out both rivets.

3.
Position
a
jack
or
safety stand

under
the
lower
arm, and
lower
the

vehicle about
6
inches
to
offset
the

coil spring tension.

4.
Remove
the
cotter
pin
from
the

ball joint stud,
and
remove
the nut.

5.
Place
a box
wrench over
the

lower
end
of the
tool shown
in
Fig.
7,

and position
the
tool.
The
tool should

seat firmly against
the end of
both

studs,
and
not
against
the
upper stud

nut.

6. Turn
the
wrench until both studs

are under tension,
and
then, with
a

hammer,
tap the
spindle near
the

lower stud
to
loosen
the
stud from
the

spindle.
Do not
loosen
the
stud with

tool pressure alone. Remove
the
ball

joint.

7.
Clean
the end of the arm, and

remove
all
burrs from
the
hole edges.

Check
for
cracks
in the
metal
at the

holes,
and
replace
the arm if it is

cracked.

8. Position
the
stud
of
the
ball joint

to
the
spindle bore,
and
install
the at-

taching
nut
finger-tight.

9. Attach
the
ball joint
to
the
lower

arm.
Use
only
the
specified bolts
and

nuts.
Do not
rivet
the new
ball joint
to

the
arm.
Torque nuts
to
specification.

10.
Torque
the
ball joint stud
nut

to specification,
and
install
a
new cot-

ter
pin.

11.
Remove
the
jack.

12.
Check
and, if
necessary, adjust

caster, camber,
and
toe-in. Whenever

any part
of the
front suspension
has

been removed
and
installed, front

wheel alignment must
be
checked.

BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

The lower ball joint
is
riveted
to
the

lower
arm
wheras
the
upper ball joint

is bolted
to the
upper
arm.
When
re-

placing
a
ball joint,
use all the
parts

supplied
in the kit.
T57P-3006-A
UPPER
ARM

UPPER BALL JOINT

LOWER BALL JOINT
\
LOWER
ARM

T62F.3006-A
F
1493-A

FIG. 13— Loosening Ball Joint

Stud

Lower
Arm

1.
Raise
the
vehicle. Place
a sup-

port under each rail
to the
rear
of
the

lower
arm in the
lifting
pad
area.

2.
Remove
the
wheel
and
tire from

the
hub.

3.
Remove
2
bolts
and
washers that

attach
the
caliper
to the
spindle.
Re-

move
the
caliper from
the
rotor
and

wire
it to the
underbody
to
prevent

damage
to the
brake hose.

4.
Remove
the hub and
rotor from

the spindle.

5.
Remove
the
splash shield
and

gasket from
the
spindle.

6. Remove
the
cotter
pin
from
the

lower ball stud,
and
loosen
the nut

one
to two
turns.

7.
Place
a box
wrench over
the

lower
end of the
ball joint remover

tool,
and
position
the
tool
as in Fig.

13.
The
tool should seat firmly against

the ends
of
both studs,
and not

against
the
lower stud
nut.

8. Turn
the
wrench until both studs

are under tension,
and
then, with
a

hammer,
tap the
spindle near
the

lower stud
to
loosen
the
stud from
the

spindle.
Do not
loosen
the
stud with

tool pressure alone.

9. Place
a
jack under
the
spring

pocket
in the
lower
arm, and
raise
the
arm slightly. Place
a
support stand

under
the
lower
arm as a
safety
pre-

caution.

10.
Remove
the nut
from
the
ball

joint stud. Raise
the
upper
arm and

spindle until
the
spindle clears
the
ball

stud. Prop
the
upper
arm in a
raised

position.

11.
Remove
the
ball -joint rivet

heads with
a
chisel. Punch
the
remain-

ing portion
of the
rivets from
the

holes,
and
remove
the
joint.

12.
Install
the
new
joint using
the

parts supplied
in the kit.
Torque
the

nuts
to
specification. Make sure
the

joint
is
completely filled with
the
spec-

ified lubricant.

13.
Lower
the
upper
arm
while

guiding
the
spindle over
the
ball stud.

Install
the
stud
nut and
tighten
it to

specification. Continue
to
tighten
the

nut
to
line
up the
cotter
pin
hole.
In-

stall
the
cotter
pin.

14.
Install
the
gasket
and
shield
on

the spindle. Tighten
the
attaching

bolts
to
specifications.

15.
Install
the
hub and
rotor
on the

spindle
and
adjust
the
wheel bearings.

16.
Install
the
caliper
to
the
spindle

and tighten
the
attaching bolts
to

specifications. Check
for the
correct

flexible hose routing (Part
2-2).

17.
Install
the
wheel
and
tire.
Tor-

que
the
wheel nuts
to
specification
and

lower
the
vehicle.

Upper
Arm

1.
Place
a
jack under
the
outer
end

of
the
lower
arm,
and
raise
the arm.

Place
a
support stand under
the
side

rail
in the
lifting
pad
area.

2.
Remove
the
wheel
and
tire.

3.
Remove
the
cotter
pin
from
the

upper ball stud,
and
loosen
the nut

one
to two
turns.

%
4.
Place
a box
wrench over
the

lower
end of the
ball joint remover

tool,
and
position
the
tool
as in Fig.

13).
The
tool should seat firmly

against
the
ends
of
both studs,
and

not against
the
upper stud
nut.

5.
Turn
the
wrench until both studs

are under tension,
and
then, with
a

hammer,
tap the
spindle near
the

upper stud
to
loosen
the
stud from
the

spindle.
Do not
loosen
the
stud with

tool pressure alone.

6. Raise
the
upper
arm to
free
the

ball stud from
the
spindle. Wire
the

upper
end
of
the
spindle
to the
under-

body
to
prevent damage
to the
brake

hose.

7.
Remove
the
ball joint retaining

nuts
and
bolts,
and
remove
the
joint.

8. Install
the new
joint using
the

parts supplied
in the kit.
Torque
theprocarmanuals.com

03-02-11
Suspension

03-02-11

nuts to specification. Make sure that

the joint is completely filled with the

specified lubricant.

9. Guide the ball joint stud into the

spindle. Install the stud nut and tor-

que it to specification. Continue to

tighten the nut to line up the cotter

pin hole. Install the cotter pin.

10.
Install the wheel and tire. Tor-

que the wheel nuts to specification.

STABILIZER REPAIR

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

To replace the end bushings on each

stabilizer link, use the following pro-

cedure.

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist.

2.
Remove the nut, washer and in-

sulator from the lower end of the sta-

bilizer bar attaching bolt.

3.
Remove the bolt and the remain-

ing washers(3) insulators (3) and the

spacer.

4.
Assemble a flat washer and a

new insulator on the bolt.

5.
Insert the bolt through the stabi-

lizer bar then install a new insulator

and a flat washer on it.

6. Install the spacer, flat washer

and another new insulator on the bolt

(Fig. 1).

7.
Insert the bolt through the lower

arm and install a new insulator and a

flat washer. Install and torque the at-

taching nut to specification.

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

1.
Raise the vehicle high enough to

provide working space, and place sup-

ports under both front wheels.

2.
Disconnect the stabilizer from

each link. Disconnect both stabilizer

attaching brackets, and remove the

stabilizer.

3.
Coat the necessary parts of the

stabilizer with RUGLYDE or a com-

parable lubricant, and slide new insu-

lators onto the stabilizer.

4.
Secure each end of the stabilizer

bar to the lower arm making sure that

the bolt head is at the top (Fig. 2) to

eliminate interference with the brake

hose.

5.
Remove the supports and lower

the vehicle.
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER

ARM STRUT AND/OR

BUSHING

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

1.
Remove the cotter pin from the

lower arm strut at the frame front

crossmember and remove the nut,

washer, and bushing from the strut.

2.
Remove nuts, washers, and bolts

attaching the strut and rubber bumper

to the lower arm (Fig. 1).

3.
Pull the strut from the frame

crossmember.

4.
Remove the crossmember rear

side bushing and washer from the

strut.

5.
Place the crossmember rear side

washer and bushing on the strut and

position the strut to the frame and

lower arm.

6. Position the rubber bumper on

the strut and install the bolts, washer,

and nuts attaching the strut to the

lower arm. Torque the nuts and bolts

to specification.

7.
Install the bushing, washer, and

nut on the strut at the front cross-

member. Tighten the nut and install

the cotter pin.

8. Check caster, camber, and toe-in

and adjust if necessary.

LOWER ARM STRUT AND/OR

BUSHING REPLACEMENT

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

1.
Position the support as shown in

Figs.
8 and 9 under the upper arm.
2.
Raise the vehicle, position safety

stands, and remove the wheel and tire.

3.
Remove the cotter pin, castelated

nut and the adjustment nut from the

front of the strut.

4.
With two pry bars approximately

18 inches long, one at each side and at

the rear of the front washer, pry it

forward to separate the inner sleeve

from the outer sleeve. Remove the

front insulator from the strut (Fig.

26).

5.
Install the new rear washer

(large ID), outer sleeve and insulator

bushing on the forward end of the

strut rod.

6. Position the strut into the

crossmember and to the lower suspen-

sion arm. Install the strut-to-arm at-

taching bolts and nuts, and torque

them to specification.

7.
Install the forward insulator

washer (small ID), inner sleeve and

adjustment nut on the forward end of

the strut. The inner sleeve need not be

crimped to the outer sleeve.

8. Install the wheel and tire, re-

move the safety stands and lower the

vehicle. Remove the tool supporting

the upper arm.

9. Adjust the caster and camber to

specification.

10.
Install the castellated nut and

cotter pin.

DRIVE SHAFT PINION

ANGLE ADJUSTMENT

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

The pinion-drive shaft working

angle must be checked and adjusted to

ADJUSTING

SCREW

F1432- A
F1503-A

FIG. 14—Alignment Spacer

Installation
FIG. 75—Positioning Tool On

U-Jointprocarmanuals.com

03-02-13

Suspension

03-02-13

BALL JOINT BOLT HEAD

STABILIZER

F1370-A

FIG. 18 —Removing or Installing Front Spring

TURN TO COMPRESS

NUT
•

Tool T 63 P-53J0-A

SHAFT SCREW

Lower Adapter Plate

CAVITY
Upper Adapter Plate

T67P-5370-A

FIG. 79—Spring Tool Installation

through the lower arm. Install and

torque the nut to specification.

3.
Secure the lower end of the

shock absorber to the lower arm with

the two attaching bolts.

4.
Secure the strut and the rebound

bumper to the lower arm with the two
F
1492.
A

attaching bolts. Torque the bolts to

specification

5.
Connect the sway bar to the

lower arm with the attaching washer

and insulators as shown in Fig. 1.

Torque the nut to specification.

6. Check the front end alignment
and adjust it to the recommended

specifications if required.

COUGAR, FAIRLANE,

FALCON, MONTEGO,

MUSTANG

Removal

1.
Remove the shock absorber and

upper mounting bracket as an assem-

bly.

2.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist, in-

stall safety stands, and remove the

wheel cover or hub cap.

3.
Remove the grease cap from the

hub;
then, remove the cotter pin, nut

lock, adjusting nut and outer bearing

from the hub.

4.
Pull the wheel, tire and the hub

and drum off the spindle as an assem-

bly.

5.
Install the spring compressor

tool as shown in Figs. 19, 20 and 21.

6. Remove 2 upper arm-to-spring

tower attaching nuts and swing the

upper arm outboard from the spring

tower (Fig. 21).

7.
Release the spring compressor

tool and remove the tool from the

spring. Then, remove the spring from

the vehicle.

Installation

1.
Place the spring upper insulator

on the spring and secure in place with

tape.

2.
Position the spring in the spring

tower. Install the spring compressor,

(Fig. 19) and compress the spring.

3.
Swing the upper arm inboard

and insert the bolts through the holes

in the side of the spring tower. Then,

install the attaching nuts and torque

them to specification.

4.
Release the spring pressure and

guide the spring into the upper arm

spring seat. The end o! the spring

must seat against the tab on the

spring seat.

5. Remove the spring compressor

and position the wheel, tire, and hub

and drum on the spindle.

6. Install the bearing, washer, ad-

justing nut and lock nut. Adjust the

wheel bearing as outlined in Part 3-12

and install the cotter pin, grease cap,

and hub cap or wheel cover.

7.
Lower the vehicle and install the

shock absorber and upper mounting

bracket.

8. Check caster, camber, and toe-in

and adjust as necessary (Part 3-1).procarmanuals.com

03-02-19

Suspension

03-02-19

6. Raise the upper arm to free the

ball joint stud from the spindle. Wire

the upper end of the spindle to the un-

derbody to prevent damage to the

brake hose.

7.
Mark the position of the upper

arm shaft on the underbody member

to facilitate making caster and camber

adjustments after installation of the

upper arm.

8. Remove the suspension upper

arm-to-underbody attaching bolts,

lock washers, and attaching nuts.

Then, remove the upper arm.

Installation

1.
Position the upper arm shaft on

the underbody member. Line up the

shaft with the marks made before re-

moval of the arm.

2.
Install the attaching bolts and

lock washers. FABRICATE A

TOOL, AS SHOWN IN Fig. 27, to

hold the nut in place while starting the

attaching bolt into the nut. Remove

the tool; then, tighten the attaching

bolts to specification.

3.
Guide the ball joint stud into the

spindle. Install the attaching nut and

torque it to specification. Continue

tightening the nut to line up the cotter

pin hole. Install a new cotter pin.

4.
Install the wheel and tire, and

torque the wheel lug nuts to specifica-

tion.

5.
With the front end weight of the

car on the wheels, torque the bolts at

the ends of the upper arm shaft to

specification if the bushings were re-

placed.

6. Check the front wheel alignment.

FRONT WHEEL SPINDLE

FORD, MERCURY,

METEOR, THUNDERBIRD,

CONTINENTAL MARK III

Removal

1.
Raise the vehicle until the front

wheel clears the floor, and place a

support under the frame.

2.
Remove the hub cap or wheel

cover.

3.
If equipped with drum type

brakes—remove the wheel and tire

and brake drum as an assembly (Part

3-12). Remove the brake backing

plate attaching bolts and remove the

backing plate from the spindle. Wire

the backing plate to the underbody to

prevent damage to the brake hose.
1/16" GAUGE
-*.

STEEL (REFERENCE)

—3/16'
3/8'

1/2" DIAMETER PLUG WELD

F 1501-A

FIG. 27 -Upper Arm Shaft Installing Tool

4.
If equipped with disc brakes—re-

move the wheel and tire from the hub.

Remove 2 bolts and washers retaining

the caliper and brake hose to the

spindle. Remove the caliper from the

rotor and wire it to the underbody to

prevent damage to the brake hose.

Then, remove the hub and rotor from

the spindle (Part 3-12). Remove 3

bolts attaching the splash shield to the

spindle and remove the splash shield.

5.
Remove the steering connecting

rod from the spindle arm with tool

OTC462.

6. Remove the cotter pins from

both ball joint stud nuts, and loosen

the nuts one or two turns. Do not re-

move the nuts from the studs at this

time.

7.
Install the ball joint remover tool

between the upper and lower ball joint

studs (Fig. 7). The tool sho.uld seat

firmly against the ends of both studs

and not against the stud nuts.

8. Turn the tool nut with a wrench

until the tool places the studs under

tension, and, with a hammer, tap the

spindle near the stud to loosen them

in the spindle. Do not loosen the studs

in the spindle with tool pressure only.

9. Position a floor jack under the

lower control arm.

10.
Remove the ball joint stud nuts

and lower the lower arm enough to re-

move the spring and the spindle.
Installation

1.
Position the spindle to the lower

ball joint stud and install the attaching

nut. Torque the nut to specification.

Continue to tighten the nut until the

cotter pin hole is in line with the slots

in the nut. Then, install the cotter pin.

2.
Position the spring and raise the

lower arm and guide and upper ball

joint stud into the spindle hole and in-

stall the attaching nut. Torque the nut

to specification and install the cotter

pin as outlined in the preceeding step.

3.
Remove the floor jack from

under the lower arm.

4.
Attach the steering connecting

rod to the spindle and install the nut.

Torque the nut to specification. Con-

tinue to tighten the nut until the cotter

pin hole is in line with the slots in the

nut. Then, install the cotter pin.

5.
If equipped with drum type

brakes—Position the brake backing

plate to the spindle and install the at-

taching bolts. Torque the bolts to spe-

cification. Adjust the brakes as out-

lined in Part 2-2. Install the wheel,

tire,
and drum to the spindle and ad-

just the wheel bearings as outlined in

Part 3-12).

6. If equipped with disc brak-

es—Install the splash shield on the

spindle and torque the attaching bolts

to specification (Part 3-13). Install theprocarmanuals.com

03-05-01
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-01

PART 3-5 Steering
Columns
and Linkage

COMPONENT INDEX

ADJUSTING SLEEVE (LINKAGE)

Removal and Installation

CENTER LINK (LINKAGE)

Removal and Installation

LOCKING LEVER (TILT-AWAY COLUMN)

Removal and Installation

PITMAN ARM (LINKAGE)

Removal and Installation

SPINDLE CONNECTING ROD ASSEMBLY

(Inner and Outer Ends)

Removal and Installation

STATIONARY STEERING COLUMNS

Description

STEERING COLUMN

Alignment

Removal and Installation

STEERING COLUMN SHIFT TUBE

Removal and Installation

STEERING COLUMN UPPER BEARING

Removal and Installation

STEERING IDLER ARM AND BRACKET

ASSEMBLY

Removal and Installation

STEERING WHEEL

Removal and Installation

Spoke Position Adjustment

TILT-AWAY STEERING COLUMN

Description

TILT STEERING COLUMN

Description

TILT WHEEL STEERING COLUMN

STEERING SHAFT

Removal and Installation

VACUUM MOTOR (TILT-AWAY COLUMN)

Removal and Installation

VACUUM RELEASE VALVE (TILT-AWAY

COLUMN)

Removal and Installation
MODEL APPLICATION
All
Models

05-19

05-20

05-20

05-01

05-14

05-02

05-20

05-02

05-02
Ford
N/A

05-19

N/A

05-08

N/A

05-01

05-16

N/A

N/A
Mercury
N/A

05-19

N/A

05-08

N/A

05-01

05-16

N/A

N/A
Meteor
N/A

05-19

N/A

05-08

N/A

05-01

05-16

N/A

N/A
Cougar
05-06

05-19

N/A

05-10

05-02

N/A

N/A

05-05

05-05
Fairlane
N/A

05-19

N/A

05-09

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A
Falcon
N/A

05-19

N/A

05-09

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A
Montego
N/A

05-19

N/A

05-09

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A
Mustang
05-06

05-19

N/A

05-10

05-02

N/A

N/A

05-05

05-05
Lincoln-
Continental
N/A

05-19

05-06

05-11

N/A

05-01

05-16

N/A

N/A
Thunderbird
05-06

05-19

05-07

05-14

05-02

N/A

N/A

05-05

05-05
Continental-
Mark
III
N/A

05-19

05-06

05-11

N/A

05-01

05-16

N/A

N/A

A page number indicates that the item is for the vehicle listed at the head of the column.

N/A indicates that the item is not applicable to the vehicle listed.

1 DESCRIPTION

STATIONARY STEERING COLUMNS

The steering column is of the col-

lapsible type to lessen the possibility

of injury to the driver of the vehicle

should he become involved in an acci-
dent. The lower end of the steering

column tube at the bellows area will

collapse approximately six inches

upon a hard impact.

The shift tube and the steering shaft

are provided with plastic dowels and
will shear and allow them to collapse

in proportion to the outer tube upon

impact.

Once the steering column has been

collapsed, a complete new column

must be installed with new brackets
procarmanuals.com

03-05-02
Steering Columns
And
Linkage

03-05-02

which also will shear away during
im-

pact.

TILT STEERING COLUMNS

The steering column
is of the col-

lapsible type
to
lessen
the
possibility

of injury
to the
driver
of the
vehicle

should
he
become involved
in an
acci-

dent.
The
lower
end of the
steering

column tube
at the
bellows area will

collapse approximately
six
inches

upon
a
hard impact.

The shift tube
and the
steering shaft

are provided with plastic dowels
and

will shear
and
allow them
to
collapse

in proportion
to the
outer tube upon

impact.

Once
the
steering column
has
been

collapsed,
a
complete
new
column
must
be
installed.

The tilt column features nine driv-

ing positions (four
up and
four down

from
a
center position).
The
.column

also features
a
turn signal switch with

a lane-changer position turn indicating

position
and
emergency warning flash-

er control.

TILT-AWAY STEERING COLUMNS

The tilt-away steering column
fea-

tures nine driving positions (four
up

and four down from
a
center position)

and
a
tilt-away position that
is
auto-

matically accomplished
on
Mustang

and Cougar models when
the
ignition

key
is
turned
to the
OFF
position
and

the left door
is
opened.
On
Thunder-

bird models,
the
tilt-away occurs when
the shift lever
is
placed
in
PARK
and

the driverns door
is
opened.

The steering column
is of the col-

lapsible type
to
lessen
the
possibility

of injury
to the
driver
of the
vehicle

should
he
become involved
in an
acci-

dent.
The
lower
end of the
steering

column tube
at the
bellows area will

collapse approximately
six
inches

upon
a
hard impact.

The shift tube
and the
steering shaft

are provided with plastic dowels
and

will shear
and
allow them
to
collapse

in proportion
to the
outer tube upon

impact.

Once
the
steering column
has
been

collapsed,
a
complete
new
column

must
be
installed along with mounting

brackets which will also shear away

during impact.

IN-VEHICLE ADJUSTMENTS
AND
REPAIRS

STEERING WHEEL SPOKE

POSITION ADJUSTMENT

When
the
steering gear
is on the

high point,
the
front wheels should
be

in
the
straight-ahead position
and the

steering wheel spokes should
be in

their normal position with
the
Pitman

arm pointing directly forward.
If the

spokes
are not in
their normal posi-

tion, they
can be
adjusted without
dis-

turbing
the
toe-in adjustment (Part

3-1).

STEERING WHEEL

REPLACEMENT

1.
Disconnect
the
negative cable

from
the
battery.

2.
Working from
the
underside
of

the steering wheel spoke, remove
the

crash
pad
attaching screws. Lift
the

crash
pad
from
the
wheel.
(On
Conti-

nental Mark
III
models,
pry out the

crash
pad
insert
and
remove
the two

screws that secure
the
crash
pad. Re-

move
the
crash
pad. On
models

equipped with steering wheel mounted

speed controls, refer
to
Group
16 for

removal instructions). Remove
the

horn ring
(if so
equipped)
by
turning

it counterclockwise.

3.
Remove
the
steering wheel
nut,

and then remove
the
steering wheel

with tool T67L-3600-A
(Fig. 1). Do

not
use a
knock-off type steering

wheel puller
or
strike
the end of the

steering shaft with
a
hammer. Striking

the puller
or
shaft will damage
the

bearing
or the
collapsible column.

4.
Transfer
all
serviceable parts
to

the
new
steering wheel.

5.
Position
the
steering wheel
on

the shaft
so
that
the
alignment mark
on
the hub of the
wheel
is
adjacent
to

the
one on the
shaft. Install
a new

locknut
and
torque
it to
specifications.

6. Install
the
horn ring
(if so

equipped)
and
crash
pad.

STEERING COLUMN UPPER

BEARING REPLACEMENT

STATIONARY COLUMNS

Removal

1. Disconnect
the
horn wire
and the

turn indicator wires
at the
connector.

2.
Working from
the
underside
of

the steering wheel spoke, remove
the

two crash
pad
attaching screws. Lift

the crash
pad
from
the
wheel.
(On

Continental Mark
III
models,
pry out

the crash
pad
insert
and
remove
the

two screws that secure
the
crash
pad.

Remove
the
crash
pad. On
models

equipped with steering wheel mounted

speed controls, refer
to
Group
16 for

7oo/-T67L-3600-A
removal instructions). Remove
the

horn ring
(if so
equipped)
by
turning

it counterclockwise.

3.
Remove
the
steering wheel
at-

taching
nut.
Remove
the
steering

wheel using tool T67L-3600-A
(Fig.

1).
Do not use a
knock-off type steer-

ing wheel puller
or
strike
the end of

the steering shaft with
a
hammer.

Striking
the
puller
or
shaft will
dam-

age
the
bearing
or the
collapsible
col-

umn.

4.
Remove
the
turn indicator lever.

5.
Remove
the
turn signal switch

attaching screws. Lift
the
switch over

the
end of the
steering shaft
and
place

it
to one
side.

6. Remove
the
snap ring from
the

top
of the
steering shaft.

7.
Loosen
the two
flange-to-steering

column tube attaching bolts
to
disen-

gage them from
the
tube.

8. Raise
the
flange upward while

BEARING
AND

INSULATOR

Spacer

G 1502 -B

FIG.
1—Removing
Steering Wheel
G 1497-A

FIG. 2—Installing Upper Bearingprocarmanuals.com

03-05-07

Steering Columns And Linkage
03-05-07

the steering column
(F in Fig. 8).

7.
Disconnect
the
transmission shift

rod
at the
shift tube.

8. Working under
the
hood, install

the aligning spacer (Fig.
9)
around
the

visible portion
of the
steering shaft

and slide
it up the
shaft into
the
steer-

ing column.
It may be
necessary
to

move
the
shaft back
and
forth
to
com-

pletely install
the
spacer.

9.
At
this point
the
steering column

assembly, being loose,
may
have

dropped toward
the
steering gear

grounding
the
steering shaft
on the

steering gear input shaft.
To
properly

establish
the
steering shaft
to
steering

gear clearance, insert
a 1/8
diameter

rod
or
drill through
the
opening
in the

upper half
of the
flex coupling.

10.
Tighten
to a
snug
fit
(approxi-

mately
2-3
ft-lb)
the
nuts retaining
the

toe plates
to the
dash panel
(B in Fig.

8).

11.
If the
aligning spacer cannot
be

rotated freely,
the
dash panel holes

must
be
filed
or
reamed
for
greater

travel
(as
mentioned
in the
second

paragraph
at the
beginning
of
this

procedure).

12.
Tighten
all
nuts
and
bolts

(noted
as C, D and E in
Fig.
8) in the

passenger compartment
to a
snug
fit

(approximately 2-3 ft-lb). Again check

aligning spacer
for
looseness. Perform

these tightening operations
in
alpha-

betical order.

13.
Tighten
the
lateral adjustment

bolt
(F in Fig. 8) to
snug
fit.
Again

check
the
aligning spacer
for
loose-

ness.

14.
Tighten
all
bolts and nuts
to the

proper torque value (listed
in Fig. 8)

in alphabetical order.

15.
Remove
the
steering shaft
al-

igning spacer.

16.
Remove
the 1/8
diameter
rod or

drill previously inserted
in the
flex

coupling.

17.
Reinstall
the
trim
at the
instru-

ment panel
to
steering column mount-

ing.

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

If
a
condition
of
high shift
or
steer-

ing effort
is
experienced
it may be

caused
by
improper alignment
of the

energy absorbing steering column.
The

following procedures outline
the
steps

necessary
to
correctly realign either

fixed
or
tilt columns:

1.
Disconnect
the
battery.

2.
Loosen four
toe
plate attaching

nuts (Fig.
10).

3.
Loosen
one toe
plate
to
steering

column clamp bolt
and nut.
Check

alignment
of
steering shaft
to
shift
-HANDLE PORTION

2-3/4"
-*- 3/4"

BEND AROUND

STEERING SHAFT
DIMENSION
A:

STANDARD COLUMN 7/16"

TILT WHEEL COLUMN
1-1/8"

•2-3/4

FABRICATE ALIGNING SPACER OUT OF

PLASTIC SHIPPING COLLAR PROVIDED

ON SERVICE DRIVESHAFTS, OR OUT
OF

1/32"—1/16" CARDBOARD
STEERING SHAFT

ALIGNMENT SPACER-BEND AROUND

STEERING SHAFT (DIMENSION
A)
AND

SLIDE UP THE SHAFT INTO COLUMN

G1537-A

FIG. 9—Aligning Spacer Fabrication
and
Insertion

BRAKE PEDAL

SUPPORT BRACKET

PART

A-TOE PLATE

B-CLAMP

C-C0LUMN BRACKET

D-BRAKE PEDAL

SUPPORT BRACKET
TORQUE VALUE

8-12 FT. LB.

3-5 FT. LB.

10-15
FT.
LB.

8-12 FT. LB.

G1541-A

FIG. 10—Steering Column Alignment Locations
and
Torque

Specifications—Lincoln Continentalprocarmanuals.com

03-05-08
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-08

tube.
In some instances the column

will shift into proper alignment when

the toe plate attaching nuts are loos-

ened. (Alignment is acceptable if a

.010 inch feeler blade can be passed

freely, completely around the area be-

tween the outer diameter of the steer-

ing shaft and the shift tube.) if the

misalignment condition can be attrib-

uted to this area, file or ream the dash

panel holes for greater clearance. If

the alignment is maintained after the

toe plate nuts and toe plate to column

clamp bolt and nut are torqued to the

8-12 ft-lb specification, no further ad-

justment is necessary.

4.
Remove instrument panel lower

trim panel. Vehicles equipped with a

combination radio stereo tape player

will require removal of the radio and

tape player assembly in order to gain

access to the upper R.H. steering col-

umn support bracket bolt.

5.
Loosen the seven bolts at the

steering column support bracket and

brake pedal support bracket.
6. Install a 3/16 inch diameter rod

spacer in the flex coupling to assure

proper clearance between upper and

lower steering shaft.

7.
Raise the vehicle, remove the

transmission splash shield, and visual-

ly align the column to center the

steering shaft in the column. Tighten

two toe plate attaching nuts sufficient-

ly to hold the column alignment (two

persons may be required for this oper-

ation).

8. Lower the vehicle.

9. Check the clearance between the

steering column support bracket and

the instrument panel bracket. It may

be necessary to add shims (Part Num-

ber MK-3054-A .060 inch thick, or

C3AZ-3054-A, .113 inch thick) be-

tween the support bracket and the in-

strument panel bracket to prevent

movement of the column when the

support bracket bolts are tightened.

10.
Loosen the two toe plate at-

taching nuts previously tightened. Re-

check steering column alignment. In
some instances it may be necessary to

enlarge the holes in the dash panel in

order to obtain proper column align-

ment.

11.
With the column properly al-

igned, torque the four toe plate at-

taching nuts to 4-9 ft-lbs.

12.
Torque the toe plate to steering

column clamp bolt to 3-5 ft-lbs.

13.
Recheck steering shaft to shift

tube alignment. A 0.10 inch feeler

blade should pass freely, completely

around the area between the outer di-

ameter of the steering shaft and shift-

er tube.

14.
Raise the vehicle.

15.
Adjust transmission shift link-

age.

16.
Install transmission splash

shield.

17.
Lower the vehicle.

18.
Install the radio stereo tape

player if so equipped.

19.
Install instrument panel lower

trim panel.

20.
Connect the battery.

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

STEERING COLUMN

FORD, MERCURY, METEOR

Removal

1.
Disconnect the battery cable

from the negative post.

2.
Disconnect the turn signal switch

wires at the connector.

3.
Disconnect the neutral start

switch and back-up light switch wires

from the switches.

4.
Disconnect the transmission con-

trol rod(s) from the lever(s) at the

lower end of the column.

5.
Remove the bolt that secures the

flex coupling to the steering gear.

6. Remove the nuts that secure the

column retainer and seal at the toe

plate (Fig. 11).

7.
Ford, Meteor: Remove the two

screws that secure the lower trim

shroud to the upper trim shroud. Re-

move the two shrouds.

Mercury: Remove the two screws

that secure the lower trim shroud to

the upper trim shroud. Remove the

top shroud Disconnect the ignition

switch light bulb. Remove the ignition

and light switch bezels and spring clip

and remove the lower shroud. Discon-
nect the light switch electrical connec-

tor block.

8. Remove the two screws that se-

cure the intermediate bracket to the

column lower bracket.

9. While supporting the steering

column, remove the two nuts that se-

cure the column lower bracket to the

instrument panel. Remove the brack-

ets.

10.
Lift the steering column and

wheel from the vehicle.

Installation

1.
Position the steering column in

the vehicle. Index the block tooth on

the steering gear shaft with the corre-

sponding slot on the flex coupling. In-

stall and tighten the flex coupling-

to-steering gear attaching bolt.

2.
Place the column upper bracket

and column lower bracket in position

on the column and install but do not

tighten the four attaching nuts.

3.
Install and tighten the two nuts

that secure the column lower bracket

to the instrument panel. Make certain

the column is properly positioned rela-

tive to the flex coupling input shaft

connection.

4.
Install and tighten the screws

that secure the intermediate bracket to

the column lower bracket.
5.
Tighten the four attaching nuts

at the upper and lower brackets and

the two nuts at the upper bracket to

instrument panel. The dial pointer (if

so equipped) should be adjusted to

coincide with the selector lever.

6. Install and tighten the nuts and

bolts that secure the column retainer

and seal at the toe plate. Make sure

the steering shaft is centered in the

column before tightening the nuts.

7.
Ford, Meteor: Install and tighten

the two screws that secure the lower

trim shroud to the upper trim shroud.

Mercury: Connect the light switch

harness block. Install the ignition and

light switch bezels. Connect the igni-

tion switch light bulb. Install the top

shroud and the two screws that secure

the lower trim shroud to the upper

shroud.

8. Connect the transmission control

rod(s) to the lever(s) at the lower end

of the column.

9. Connect the neutral start switch

and back-up light switch to their re-

spective terminals.

10.
Connect the turn signal switch

wires.

11.
Connect the negative battery

cable to the battery.

12.
Check the operation of the

steering tilt mechanism if so equipped

and the switches.procarmanuals.com