Removal and Installation

2007 Ford Escape Base, 2.3 Z, FWD, AutomaticSECTION Removal and Installation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Mercury Mariner and 2010 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Fig 1: Steering Column Replacement Components With Torque Specifications
G06393337Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
ITEM DESCRIPTION CHART

Item Part Number Description
1 04481 LH Instrument panel side finish panel
2 W712249 Steering column through bolt
3 W713065 Steering column coupling-to-steering column bolt
4 W712250 Steering column mounting bolt (2 required)
5 - Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) 2-pin electrical connector (part of 14A120)
6 - PSCM  6-pin electrical connector (part of 14401)
7 78017A26 Steering column opening panel
8 - Instrument panel cutoff panel
9 W505422 Steering column opening panel bolt (4 required)
10 04459 Steering column opening trim
11 - Headlamp dimmer adjuster switch electrical connector (part of 14401)
12 - Battery high-voltage jumper switch electrical connector (if equipped) (part of 14401)
13 - Instrument panel wiring harness electrical connector (part of 14401)
14 - Instrument panel wiring harness electrical connector (part of 14401)
15 - Message center electrical connector (if equipped)
16 W705661 Ground wire eyelet bolt
17 - Ground wire eyelet (part of 14401)
18 - Ground wire eyelet (part of 14401)
19 - Data Link Connector (DLC)
20 - Headlamp switch electrical connector (part of 14401)
21 - Multifunction switch electrical connector (part of 14401)
22 - Pin-type harness retainer
23 - Pin-type harness retainer
24 - Ignition switch electrical connector (part of 14401)
25 - Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) transceiver electrical connector (part of 14401)
26 3C529 Steering column assembly
27 7C534 Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) switch

All vehicles 

  1. Remove the steering column opening trim.
  2. Using a suitable cutting tool, carefully cut through the 2 cutoff lines and discard the instrument panel cutoff panel.
    Fig 2: Locating Cutoff Lines
    G06094649Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  3. Remove the 4 screws and the steering column opening panel.
    • To install, tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in).
  4. Remove the LH instrument panel side finish panel.
  5. Through the side finish panel opening, remove the ground wire eyelet bolt.
    • Position the 2 ground wire eyelets and wires aside.
  6. Through the side finish panel opening, disconnect the 2 instrument panel wiring harness electrical connectors and, if equipped, the battery high-voltage jumper switch electrical connector.
    • Position the harnesses and connectors aside.
  7. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and rotate the steering wheel clockwise until the steering column coupling-to-steering column bolt is accessible.
  8. Through the side finish panel opening, remove and discard the steering column coupling-to-steering column bolt.
    • To install, tighten the new bolt to 63Nm (46 lb-ft).
  9. Remove the clockspring. For additional information, refer to CLOCKSPRING .

    Vehicles with manual transmission 

  10. Rotate the Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) switch clockwise and position the switch aside.

    All vehicles 

  11. Disconnect the following electrical connectors:
    • Multifunction switch
    • Ignition switch
    • Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) transceiver (if equipped)
    • Headlamp switch
    • Headlamp dimmer adjuster
    • Message center (if equipped)
    • Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) 6-pin
    • PSCM  2-pin
  12. Detach the 2 electrical harness pin-type retainers from the steering column.
  13. Detach the Data Link Connector (DLC) from the DLC  mounting bracket.
  14. Position all electrical harnesses and connectors aside.
  15. Detach the steering column coupling from the steering column.
  16. NOTE: Do not remove the steering column through bolt at this time or damage to the steering column can occur.
  17. Loosen the steering column through bolt.
  18. NOTE: Support the upper end of the steering column while removing the 2 steering column mounting bolts or damage to the steering column can occur.
  19. Remove the 2 steering column mounting bolts.
    • To install, tighten to 28 Nm (21 lb-ft).
  20. NOTE: Do not release the tilting mechanism while lowering the steering column or damage to the steering column can occur.
  21. Carefully lower the upper end of the steering column.
  22. NOTE: Support the lower end of the steering column while removing the through bolt or damage to the steering column can occur.
  23. Remove the steering column through bolt and carefully remove the steering column through the steering column opening.
    • To install, tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
  24. NOTE: Do not allow the steering column upper and lower halves to become separated. If the column halves become separated, make sure that the upper and lower column shaft master (larger) splines are correctly aligned. Once the splines are correctly aligned, the column halves will slide together easily using hands only. Do not force the upper and lower column halves together or damage to the column may occur.
RENDER: 1.0x

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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.