Steering wheel — removal and installation Ford F150
Warning: The models covered by this manual are equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), more commonly known as airbags. Always disable the airbag system before working in the vicinity of any airbag system component to avoid the possibility of accidental deployment of the airbag, which could cause personal injury (see, Chassis electrical system).
Removal
1. Park the vehicle with the front wheels pointed straight ahead and the steering wheel centered. Disconnect the cable from the negative terminal of the battery (see Tune-up and routine maintenance).
2. Refer to Chassis electrical system and disable the airbag system.
3. On each side of the steering wheel, insert a 3 mm Allen wrench (or other narrow tool) into the hole. Push the wire clip inward and slightly forward to gain good contact with the release spring. As the spring is pressed, pull the airbag module away from the steering wheel (see illustrations).
.3 Insert a narrow tool into the hole in each side of the steering wheel to release the spring steel retainers that secure the airbag
4. Lift the airbag module off the steering wheel and disconnect the airbag and horn electrical connectors (see illustrations).
Caution: When handling the airbag module, hold it with the trim side facing away from you. Set the airbag module down in a safe location with the trim side facing up.
.4a Lift the airbag module off of the steering wheel and tilt it towards you
.4b Disconnect the electrical connectors from the airbag module by lifting the orange safety clip, then squeeze the two sides of the yellow connector and pull up to release
5. Remove the steering wheel retaining bolt and mark the position of the steering wheel to the shaft (see illustration).
.5 Remove the steering wheel bolt and mark the relationship of the steering wheel to the steering shaft
Note: The steering wheel will only fit on one way, but marking it to the shaft will help during installation.
6. Lift the steering wheel off the shaft.
7. Tape the inner rotor of the clockspring to the housing to prevent it from turning (see illustration).
.7 Tape the clockspring so it does not become uncentered
Caution: Don’t hammer on the shaft or the steering wheel in an attempt to dislodge the wheel!While the steering wheel is removed, do NOT turn the steering shaft or rotor of the clockspring. If this happens, the clockspring will no longer be aligned properly, which could damage the ribbon within the clockspring, rendering the airbag inoperative. If the clockspring is accidentally moved, it must be centered before installing the steering wheel. A good tip would be to tape the inner and outer rings of the clockspring together to avoid any movement while the steering wheel has been removed.
Clockspring — centering, removal and installation
Caution: Only perform this procedure if the clockspring or steering shaft have been rotated while the steering wheel has been removed, or if the clockspring must be replaced.
8. Verify that the front wheels are pointing straight ahead. Turn the clockspring housing counterclockwise by hand until it becomes hard to turn (don’t apply too much force, though, because the cable could break). Turn the clockspring clockwise three complete turns until the electrical connector is in the 12 o’clock position.
9. If it’s necessary to remove the clock-spring from the steering column, remove the steering column covers (see Body). Remove the retaining screws and the electrical connectors from the bottom of the clock-spring and then remove it (see illustrations). Reverse the removal procedure to install the clockspring, but be sure it is centered.
.9a Clockspring mounting screws
.9b Clockspring electrical connectors
A Connector location for steering wheel mounted audio controls
B Main clockspring electrical connector
Installation
10. To install the wheel, align the mark on the steering wheel hub with the mark on the shaft and slide the wheel onto the shaft. Install the bolt and tighten it to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
11. The remainder of installation is otherwise the reverse of removal. Be sure the electrical connectors are securely connected to the airbag module and the airbag module snaps securely into place.