Back To Article
ST EERING COLUMN
1991 ST EERING Ford Motor Co. - Steering Colum ns
DESCRIPTION
The steering column assembly consists of a steering shaft, steering shaft tube, upper and lower bearings, mounting brackets, ignition lock and
combination switch assembly.
Fig. 1: Exploded View of External Steering Column Assembly (Typical)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
Refer to TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in the GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING section.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD
Removal & Installation (Capri)
1. Disconnect negative battery cable and air bag back-up power supply. Back-up power supply is a Blue rectangular unit located behind
glove box, attached to instrument panel. Remove 4 mount nuts from back of steering wheel and remove air bag module.
2. Disconnect air bag module connector. Loosen steering wheel nut 4-6 turns. Using Steering Wheel Remover (T67L-3600-A), remove
steering wheel. To install, reverse removal procedure.
Removal & Installation (Festiva)
Remove 2 screws from back of steering wheel. Disconnect horn wire and remove cover. Remove steering wheel retaining nut. Mark steering
wheel and steering shaft. Using Steering Wheel Remover (T67L-3600-A), remove steering wheel. To install, reverse removal procedure.
COMBINATION SW ITCH NOTE:Steering colum n is not repairable and m ust be replaced as a unit.
WARNING:On m odels with Supplem ental Restraint System (SRS), observe the following precautions. Before any
repairs are perform ed, disconnect and shield battery ground cable and air bag back-up power supply.
Back-up power supply is a Blue rectangular unit located behind glove box, attached to instrum ent
panel.
CAUT ION: DO NOT use a knock-off type steering wheel puller or strike steering wheel or shaft with a
ham m er. Sudden im pact could dam age a bearing or begin to collapse steering colum n.
Page 1 of 4 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - STEERING COLUMN 1991 STEERING Ford Motor Co. - Steering Columns
3/10/2009 http://www.eautorepair.net/app/PrintItems.asp?S0=2097152&S1=0&SG=%7B9B990D68%2D660A%2D45E9%2D8F46%2DE
...
and disconnect cable from lock housing. Using slim-nose locking pliers, grip and remove round headed shear screws securing column
lock housing and cap to column jacket. See Fig. 2
.
2. Remove lock housing. To install lock housing, position lock cylinder and cap on column jacket. Using new screws, tighten only enough
to hold lock housing in position. Use ignition key to ensure lock works correctly without binding. Adjust switch if necessary. Tighten
shear screws until heads break off. Install ignition switch in cylinder. Reverse removal procedures to complete installation.
STEERING COLUMN
Removal & Installation (Capri)
1. Place wheels in a straight-ahead position. Remove ignition key and lock steering wheel. Disconnect negative battery cable and air bag
back-up power supply. Back-up power supply is a Blue rectangular unit located behind glove box, attached to instrument panel.
2. Remove air bag module from steering wheel. Remove steering column access cover and trim panel. Remove defroster duct connecting
hose. Remove steering column lower shroud. Loosen lower steering c o l u mn r e t a in in g n u t s. R e mo ve st e e r in g c o l u mn u p p e r r e t a in in g
nuts.
3. Remove ignition lock shield and ignition switch mount screw. Disconnect all necessary electrical connectors. Mark and remove steering
shaft universal joint bolt. Remove steering column from instrument panel. To install, reverse removal procedure. Once steering column
is completely installed, check all switches and functions for proper operation.
Removal (Festiva)
1. Disconnect battery ground cable. Place wheels in a straight-ahead position. Remove steering wheel, upper and lower column covers,
combination switch, ignition switch and harness connectors.
2. Remove steering column shield and air duct from below steering column. Remove 2 steering column upper mounting bracket-to-
instrument panel crossmember nuts.
3. Lower upper end of column as necessary to gain access to intermediate shaft upper "U" joint. Mark steering shaft and upper "U" jo in t fo r
reassembly reference.
4. Remove "U" joint attaching bolt. Loosen 2 steering column hinge bracket-to-clutch/brake pedal support nuts. Remove steering column
with upper "U" joint by pulling toward passenger compartment.
Installation (Festiva)
1. Align marks made during removal and install column with intermediate shaft upper "U" joint over intermediate shaft. Install, but do not
tighten, "U" joint clamp bolt.
2. Install and tighten hinge bracket nuts. Install shim clips on column upper bracket flanges (if removed). Position upper end of steering
column to instrument panel mounting studs.
3. Install upper bracket retaining nuts. Turn steering wheel lock-to-lock several times to align "U" joint splines. Tighten "U" joint clamp
bolt.
4. Install air duct and instrument panel brace. Install harness connectors, ignition switch, combination switch, upper and lower column
covers and steering wheel.
OVERHAUL
STEERING COLUMN
Disassembly & Reassembly (Capri)
1. Remove steering column. See STEERING COLUMN under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Position steering column in soft-jawed
vise. Using Steering Wheel Remover (T67L-3600-A), remove steering wheel. Put 2 strips of tape on air bag clockspring, to avoid
rotation.
2. Remove 3 clockspring retaining screws and remove clockspring. With ignition key installed, rotate tumbler to Run position while
pushing tumbler release pin with .125" (3.17 mm) drift. Remove tumbler and upper column shroud. Remove key warning switch.
3. Remove bearing plate. Remove and discard snap ring located at front end of steering column. Remove multifunction switch. Remove
column lock and upper bearing using a suitable bearing puller. To reassemble, reverse disassembly procedure.
Disassembly (Festiva)
Disassembly of steering column assembly is not recommended by manufacturer. If any components are found defective, replace steering
column assembly.
Inspection (Festiva)
1. Measure steering shaft for signs of collapse. Steering shaft length should be between 23.86-23.94" (606-608 mm). If measurement is not
within specification, replace steering column assembly.
2. Check for steering shaft side play. Any detectable side play can adversely affect steering control. If side play in excess of .03" (.75 mm)
is present, bearings are badly worn. Replace steering column assembly.
Reassembly (Festiva)
NOTE:If steering rack and interm ediate shaft are also rem oved, "U" joints and interm ediate shaft m ust be
m arked for reassem bly reference. Both ends of shaft are identical.
CAUT ION: If steering shaft shear pins break during housing or bearing rem oval, the com plete shaft and colum n
m ust be replaced. T o determ ine if pins have sheared, m easure steering shaft from top end of shaft to
center of U-
joint bearing. If length is less than 24.23" (615.7 m m ) or greater than 24.66" (617.7 m m ), pins
have sheared.
Page 3 of 4 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - STEERING COLUMN 1991 STEERING Ford Motor Co. - Steering Columns
3/10/2009 http://www.eautorepair.net/app/PrintItems.asp?S0=2097152&S1=0&SG=%7B9B990D68%2D660A%2D45E9%2D8F46%2DE
...
