Ford Festiva. Instruction — part 97

Valve Housing-To-Steering Gear Housing Bolts

15-19 (21-25)

INCH Lbs.

Fluid Reservoir Mounting Bolts

62-84 (7-10 N.m)

Copyright 2009 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Article GUID: A00054862

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STEERING COLUMN

1991 STEERING Ford Motor Co. - Steering Columns

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 SWITCH

NOTE:

Steering column is not repairable and must be replaced as a unit.

WARNING:

On models with Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), observe the following precautions. Before any
repairs are performed, 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 instrument
panel.

CAUTION:

DO NOT use a knock-off type steering wheel puller or strike steering wheel or shaft with a
hammer. Sudden impact could damage a bearing or begin to collapse steering column.

Removal & Installation (Capri)

Disconnect negative battery cable. With steering wheel removed, remove screws from lower column cover and remove lower cover. Remove
steering column upper retaining bolts. Steering column will rest on instrument panel bracket. Release wiring harness clip and unplug
connectors. Remove 2 switch retaining screws and remove switch from steering column. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Removal & Installation (Festiva)

Disconnect negative battery cable. With steering wheel removed, remove screws from lower column cover and remove both upper and lower
cover. Release wiring harness clip and unplug connectors. Loosen band clamp securing switch hub to steering column jacket. Remove switch
from steering column. To install, reverse removal procedure.

IGNITION SWITCH & LOCK

Removal & Installation (Capri Ignition Switch)

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. With steering wheel removed, remove upper and lower column covers. Remove center access panel

and trim panel under steering wheel. Remove left side defroster connector tube.

2. Remove steering column upper attaching bolts. Lower steering column onto instrument panel brace. Remove ignition tumbler. With

ignition key inserted, rotate tumbler while pushing release pin with .125" (3.17 mm) drift. Pull tumbler out of ignition lock housing.

3. Remove column lock shield. Disconnect switch harness connector. Remove single retaining screw. Remove ignition switch. See

Fig. 2

.

Reverse removal procedures to complete installation.

Removal & Installation (Festiva Ignition Switch)

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. With steering wheel removed, remove screws from lower column cover and remove both upper and

lower covers. Remove steering column shield and shield bracket. Remove air discharge tube.

2. Remove steering column attaching nuts and lower the steering column support bracket. Remove single retaining screw from top side of

ignition switch. Remove ignition switch wiring harness and ignition switch. See

Fig. 2

.

Fig. 2: Ignition Switch & Lock Mechanism

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Removal & Installation (Festiva Ignition Lock)

1. Remove combination switch, see

COMBINATION SWITCH

earlier. Remove ignition switch. Remove shift lock cable attaching bolt

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 column retaining nuts. Remove steering column upper retaining
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" joint for

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 intermediate shaft are also removed, "U" joints and intermediate shaft must be
marked for reassembly reference. Both ends of shaft are identical.

CAUTION:

If steering shaft shear pins break during housing or bearing removal, the complete shaft and column
must be replaced. To determine if pins have sheared, measure steering shaft from top end of shaft to
center of U-joint bearing. If length is less than 24.23" (615.7 mm) or greater than 24.66" (617.7 mm), pins
have sheared.