Steering Wheel: Service and Repair
Special Tools:
Removal
WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.
WARNING: Air bag modules with discolored or damaged trim covers must be replaced, not repainted.
WARNING: Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. Replace and properly position the sensor or any other damaged supplemental restraint system (SRS) components whether or not the air bag is deployed.
1. WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.
The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.
To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).
WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
Note: The driver air bag (soft pack) and steering wheel can be serviced separately or as an assembly.
Note: In the event of an air bag (soft pack) deployment, the air bag (soft pack) and the steering wheel must be serviced as an assembly.
Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.
2. Remove the lower steering column opening cover with reinforcement.
1. Remove the retaining bolts.
2. Pull out to release the retaining clips and remove the lower steering column opening cover with reinforcement.
3. Disconnect the four-pin air bag sliding contact electrical connector at the base of the steering column.
4. Attach a restraint system diagnostic tool to the vehicle harness side of the air bag sliding contact electrical connector.
5. Open the access door.
- Use a thin bladed screwdriver to carefully pry the access door open.
6. Disconnect the accessory and air bag module electrical connectors.
7. CAUTION: When removing the steering wheel, care must be taken to prevent damage to the wiring and wiring connectors. Route the wiring through the small opening in the back of the steering wheel as it is removed from the column shaft.
CAUTION: The pinion shaft must be turned 120-130 revolutions to release the steering wheel. Do not attempt to force the steering wheel from the column. Damage to the steering wheel bolt or the steering column can occur.
Turn the pinion shaft 120-130 revolutions to release the steering wheel from the column shaft.
- Use special tool 501-052.
Installation
WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.
WARNING: Air bag modules with discolored or damaged trim covers must be replaced, not repainted.
WARNING: Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. Replace and properly position the sensor or any other damaged supplemental restraint system (SRS) components whether or not the air bag is deployed.
WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing,replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.
The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.
To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).
Note: When installing a new steering wheel-air bag (soft pack) assembly, steering wheel or air bag (soft pack), a prepaid return postcard is provided. The serial number of the steering wheel, air bag (soft pack) and vehicle identification number (VIN) must be recorded and sent to Ford Motor Company. This must be done in all cases, even if installing only a new steering wheel.
1. CAUTION: When installing the steering wheel, care must be taken to prevent damage to the wiring and the wiring connectors. Route the wiring through the small opening in the back of the steering wheel as it is positioned on the column shaft.
Position the steering wheel and tighten the pinion shaft.
2. WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
Remove the restraint system diagnostic tool from the vehicle harness side of the air bag sliding contact electrical connector.
3. Connect the four-pin air bag sliding contact electrical connector at the base of the steering column.
4. Install the lower steering column opening cover with reinforcement.
1. Position the lower steering column opening cover with reinforcement to the instrument panel and push in at the top seating the retaining clips.
2. Install the retaining bolts.
5. Through the steering wheel access door, attach a restraint system diagnostic tool to the air bag sliding contact electrical connector.
6. Connect the battery ground cable.
7. WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
Prove out the air bag system.
8. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.
9. WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
Remove the restraint system diagnostic tool (418-F403) from the air bag sliding contact electrical connector.
10. Connect the driver air bag and then the steering wheel component electrical connectors.
- Close the access door.
11. Connect the battery ground cable.
12. WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
Prove out the air bag system.