Removal and Installation

REMOVAL and INSTALLATION
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.





2. Disconnect underhood wiring at LH side of dash panel.





3. Disengage wiring connector from dash panel and push wiring harness into passenger compartment.
4. Remove steering column lower trim cover. (Remove three screws at bottom, one screw LH side, and pull to disengage five snap-in retainers across top).





5. Remove steering column lower opening reinforcement. Six screws retain reinforcement to instrument panel.
6. Remove steering column upper and lower shrouds.

Fig. 9 Steering Column Wiring Connectors. Cougar & Thunderbird:

7. Disconnect wiring from steering column.
8. Remove shift interlock switch.
9. Disconnect steering column lower universal joint.

10. Support steering column and remove four nuts retaining column to support. Remove column from vehicle.





11. Remove one screw retaining LH side of instrument panel to parking brake bracket.





12. Install steering column lower opening reinforcement using four screws (one each corner).

NOTE: Reinforcement prevents instrument panel from twisting when being removed from vehicle.





13. Remove RH and LH cowl side trim panels.





14. Remove console assembly from vehicle.





15. Remove two nuts retaining center of instrument panel to floor (tunnel).
16. Open glove compartment, squeeze sides of bin and lower to full open position.
17. From underneath instrument panel and through glove compartment opening, disconnect wiring, heater/AC vacuum lines and control cables.
18. Remove two screws at RH side retaining instrument panel to cowl side.





19. Remove two screws at LH side retaining instrument panel to cowl side.

Fig. 13 Removing Upper Finish Panels. Cougar & Thunderbird:

20. Remove RH and LH upper finish panels by pulling up to disengage snap-in retainers. Three on RH side, four on LH side.
21. Remove four screws retaining instrument panel to cowl top. Remove RH and LH roof rail trim panel. Remove door frame weatherstrip.
22. Carefully pull instrument panel away from cowl and disconnect any remaining wiring or controls. Remove from vehicle.
23. If instrument panel is being replaced, transfer all components, wiring and hardware to the new panel.





24. To install, reverse Removal procedure. Check operation of all components.

NOTE: The steering column opening lower reinforcement must be installed on the replacement panel before installing panel in vehicle.