Automatic Ride Control: Removal & Installation Ford Thunderbird X

Removal (Front)

1. Park vehicle on level surface. Apply parking brake. Turn ignition off. Unplug actuator connector from harness. Pry off actuator plastic cover, using screwdriver slot in front of cover. Pry off actuator harness connector from cover.
2. Squeeze 2 plastic retainer tabs firmly inward using one hand and lift actuator off bracket using other hand. (Scheme 3)
3. Hold top of shock stud using socket wrench (9 mm) and remove actuator bracket hold-down nut (19 mm). Remove nut and bracket. For installation reference, note location of flat area on shock stud threads and flat on actuator bracket in relation to body structure. Mark locations as required.

Installation

To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure flat sides on bracket are parallel with fender and aligned with flat on shock absorber. Use large pliers to hold actuator bracket during installation. Tighten nut to 27-35 ft. lbs. (37-47 N.m).

Note. Actuator may be difficult to install if plastic, located on shock absorber end, becomes eccentric to actuator driving shaft. To correct this problem, loosen 2 mounting screws. This will allow actuator to float with respect to locator and ease installment on shock absorber. Tighten mounting screws with actuator in place.

Scheme 3

Removal (Rear)

1. Park vehicle on level surface. Apply parking brake. Turn ignition off. Remove side trim panel from trunk. Unplug actuator connector from harness.
2. Squeeze 2 plastic retainer tabs firmly inward using one hand and lift actuator off mounting bracket using other hand. (Scheme 3) Holding actuator bracket using large pliers, remove shock absorber upper nut (19 mm). Remove actuator bracket. (Scheme 4)

1. Align flat in mounting bracket with flat on shock absorber rod threads. Mounting bracket tabs should be aligned in a front-to-rear position in relation to front and rear of vehicle.
2. Install shock absorber upper nut. Holding actuator bracket using large pliers, tighten nut to 27-35 ft. lbs. (37-47 N.m). To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.

Note. Actuator may be difficult to install if plastic, located on shock absorber end, becomes eccentric to actuator driving shaft. To correct this problem, loosen 2 mounting screws. This will allow actuator to float with respect to locator and ease installment on shock absorber. Tighten mounting screws with actuator in place.

Scheme 4

Removal & Installation

Brake pressure switch is attached to proportioning valve, located below master cylinder. Relieve front brake system pressure. Unplug harness connector, and remove sensor from proportioning valve. To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure new "O" ring is on new switch. Tighten switch to 96-120 INCH lbs. (11-14 N.m). Bleed front brakes.

Removal

1. Disconnect wiring harness from EVO actuator on power steering pump. Disconnect power steering pressure and return hoses. Plug all openings.
2. Carefully remove actuator from pump as flow control valve and spring may come out. Installation Install flow control spring and valve. Install EVO actuator into pump. Tighten EVO actuator to 25-34 ft. lbs. (34-46 N.m). Reconnect hoses. Reconnect EVO wiring harness. Fill system with power steering fluid, and purge system.

1. ARC control module and related relays are located in trunk on module package tray behind left side of back seat. Turn ignition off before disconnecting control module.
2. Locate and release push pin on left of tray. Pull down lightly on tray. Disconnect harness wiring connector. Remove control module or relays as required. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Raise and support vehicle. Remove speed sensor retaining bolt from left side of transmission. Remove sensor and driven gear. Unplug connector. Remove driven gear retainer and driven gear from sensor. To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure "O" ring is properly seated in sensor housing.

Steering sensor is located at lower end of steering column. Sensor can be removed without removing steering column. Disconnect steering sensor harness connectors from lower bracket under instrument panel. Remove sensor ring shield from column (if equipped). Remove 2 steering sensor retaining screws, and remove sensor. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Remove steering column. See STEERING COLUMNS article in STEERING Section. Remove steering shaft lower retainer and spring. (Scheme 5) Remove steering shaft from column to allow sensor ring to slide off shaft, and remove sensor ring. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Scheme 5