Steering Column Mercury Capri III

DESCRIPTION & OPERATION

The steering column assembly consists of a steering shaft, steering shaft tube, upper and lower bearings, mounting brackets, ignition lock, combination switch assembly and universal joints. (Scheme 1) The steering column and shaft are designed to collapse under heavy load.

Scheme 1

Capri

To disable SRS, disconnect battery cable. Unplug back-up power supply 3-way harness connector. System is now disabled. Back-up power supply is a blue box mounted behind instrument panel, left of glove box opening. Glove box door must be opened past its stops and lowered toward floor to access back-up power supply.

To activate SRS, reconnect back-up power supply connector and negative battery cable. From passenger's side of vehicle, turn ignition switch to RUN position. System is now activated. Check AIR BAG light to ensure system is functioning properly.

Note. For information on air bag DIAGNOSIS & TESTING or DISPOSAL PROCEDURES, see AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM article in the ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT section.

Removal (Capri)

1. Disable SRS. See «DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM»(/mercury/capri/iii-1990-1995/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) . Ensure front wheels are in straight-ahead position. From rear of steering wheel, remove 4 nuts and washers securing air bag module to steering wheel. Disconnect air bag module-to-clockspring connector.
2. Remove air bag module and place out of the way with pad facing upward. Disconnect horn and cruise control (if equipped) wiring harness connectors from steering wheel. Scribe reference mark on steering shaft and steering wheel hub for installation. Loosen steering wheel retaining bolt 4-6 turns. CAUTION: When removing steering wheel, DO NOT use a knock-off type steering wheel puller, or strike the steering wheel or shaft with a hammer. A sudden impact could damage bearing, or collapse the steering column, requiring replacement of column.
3. Position Steering Wheel Remover (T67L-3600-A) on steering wheel. Tighten bolt on remover until steering wheel is loose. Remove steering wheel puller, steering wheel nut and steering wheel.

Installation

1. Ensure front wheels are in straight-ahead position. Route clockspring wiring harness through steering wheel opening. Position steering wheel on steering shaft and align reference marks.
2. Ensure clockspring wire is not pinched when positioning steering wheel. Install new steering wheel nut and tighten to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/mercury/capri/iii-1990-1995/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) . Connect horn and cruise control (if equipped) wiring connectors to steering wheel.
3. Connect air bag module-to-clockspring connector. Install air bag module. Tighten air bag module nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/mercury/capri/iii-1990-1995/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) . Activate SRS. See «DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM»(/mercury/capri/iii-1990-1995/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) . Check AIR BAG light to ensure system is functioning properly.

Removal & Installation (Festiva)

Remove 2 screws from back of steering wheel. Disconnect horn wire and remove cover. Remove steering wheel nut. Mark steering wheel and steering shaft. Using Steering Wheel Remover (T67L-3600-A), remove steering wheel. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Removal & Installation (Capri)

Disconnect negative battery cable. With steering wheel removed, remove screws from lower column cover and remove lower cover. Remove upper steering column bolts. Steering column will rest on instrument panel bracket. Remove screws and combination switch from steering column. Firmly pull lever out of switch. Release wiring harness clip and unplug connectors. To install, reverse removal procedure. Check combination switch for proper operation.

Disconnect negative battery cable. With steering wheel removed, remove screws and clips from lower half of lower column cover and both upper and lower covers. Remove all 3 covers. 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. Ensure combination switch is level.

Removal & Installation (Capri Ignition Switch & Lock Tumbler)

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 upper steering column bolts. Lower steering column onto instrument panel brace. With ignition key inserted, rotate tumbler while pushing release pin (located at base of lock cylinder housing) with.125" (3.17 mm) drift. Pull tumbler out of ignition lock housing. If tumbler will not rotate, see «NON-FUNCTIONING IGNITION LOCK»(/mercury/capri/iii-1990-1995/remont/steering-column/#steering-column__non-functioning-ignition-lock-capri) procedure.
3. Remove column lock shield. Disconnect switch harness connector. Remove screws and ignition switch. (Scheme 2)
4. Install ignition switch onto column lock assembly. Ensure actuator pin of lock assembly fits into ignition switch slot. Reverse removal procedure to complete installation.

Note. Use NON-FUNCTIONING IGNITION LOCK replacement procedure ONLY when ignition lock is inoperative and the lock cylinder will not rotate.

Non-Functioning Ignition Lock (Capri)

1. Remove lower steering column shroud. With a 1/8" drill bit, drill out retaining pin, no deeper than 1/2" (12.7 mm). With a chisel and hammer, using sharp blows at base of cap, carefully remove ignition lock cylinder cap. With a 3/8" drill bit, drill out center of key slot no deeper than 1 3/4" (44 mm) or until lock cylinder breaks away from base of lock cylinder.
2. Remove lock cylinder and clean drill shavings from lock cylinder housing. Remove snap ring washer and steering column lock gear. Replace lock cylinder housing if damaged. Install new lock tumbler and key into housing and check operation. Reverse removal procedure to complete installation.

Scheme 2

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 bolts and lower the steering column support bracket. Remove screw from top side of ignition switch. Remove ignition switch wiring harness and ignition switch. (Scheme 3) Reverse removal procedure to complete installation.

Scheme 3

Removal & Installation (Festiva Ignition Lock)

1. Remove combination switch, see «COMBINATION SWITCH»(/mercury/capri/iii-1990-1995/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Remove ignition switch. Remove shift lock cable bolt and disconnect cable from lock housing. Using needle-nose locking pliers, grip and remove round headed shear screws securing column lock housing and cap to column jacket. (Scheme 3) Remove lock housing.
2. 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 procedure to complete installation.

1. Place wheels in a straight-ahead position. Remove ignition key and lock steering wheel. Disconnect negative battery cable. Disable SRS. See «DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM»(/mercury/capri/iii-1990-1995/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) .
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 nuts. Remove upper steering column nuts. Rest steering column on instrument panel brace.
3. Remove ignition lock shield, brake/shift interlock mechanism and ignition switch screw. Disconnect all necessary electrical connectors and slip ring assembly. Mark and remove steering shaft "U" joint bolt. Remove steering column from instrument panel. To install, reverse removal procedure. Once steering column is 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 installation 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.

Note. If also removing steering rack and intermediate shaft, "U" joints and intermediate shaft must be marked for installation reference. Both ends of shaft are identical.

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 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 bolt.
4. Install air duct and instrument panel brace. Install harness connectors, ignition switch, combination switch, upper and lower column covers and steering wheel.

TURN SIGNAL CANCEL CAM

Note. It is not necessary to replace entire steering column assembly with a cracked turn signal cancel cam. Use Turn Signal Canceling Cam Sleeve (E1AZ-13B368-A) to make repair.

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Disable SRS. See «DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM»(/mercury/capri/iii-1990-1995/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) . Remove steering column, steering wheel and air bag clockspring. Remove upper bearing snap ring and discard. Remove column lock and bearing assembly.
2. Slide service sleeve over cracked canceling cam, and press down until sleeve bottoms on cam tabs. There are 3 retention dimples on inside of sleeve. Position sleeve so dimples are not over crack.
3. Reverse installation of removed components to complete repair. Connect negative battery cable. Check AIR BAG light to ensure system is functioning properly.

Disassembly (Capri)

1. Remove steering column. See «STEERING COLUMN»(/mercury/capri/iii-1990-1995/remont/steering-column/#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 and/or damage.
2. Remove 3 clockspring screws and 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 top end of steering column. Remove multifunction switch. Remove column lock and upper bearing using bearing puller. (Scheme 4)

Scheme 4

Inspection

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 24.80" (630 mm) or greater than 24.88" (632 mm), pins have sheared. If pins have sheared, replace steering shaft and column assembly.

Reassembly

1. Install steering column lock and upper bearing assembly. Tighten bolts to 12-20 ft. lbs. (16-28 N.m). Stake upper shaft serration diameter enough to ensure an interference fit between bearing and steering column upper shaft.
2. Position bearing and insulator as far down steering column upper shaft as possible. To seat bearing and insulator, put a piece of pipe1 1/2" (38.1 mm) long by 3/4" (19.05 mm) inside diameter over end of steering shaft. Install flat washer and steering wheel nut over pipe and tighten until bearing is seated. (Scheme 5) Install a new snap ring.
3. Install combination switch, bearing retaining plate and key warning sensor. (Scheme 5) Install upper column shroud. Install tumbler assembly by turning tumbler and pressing release pin. Install air bag clockspring and remove tape strips. Tighten steering wheel nut to 23-33 ft. lbs. (31-45 N.m). Ensure curl strap is secured by retaining clips. Install steering column assembly.

Scheme 5

Disassembly & Reassembly (Festiva)

Disassembly of steering column assembly is not recommended by manufacturer. If any components are found defective, replace steering column assembly.

Measure steering shaft for signs of collapse. Steering shaft length should be 23.86-23.94" (606-608 mm). If measurement is not within specification, replace steering column assembly. Check for steering shaft side play. If side play exceeds .03" (.75 mm), replace steering column assembly.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM
• DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
• NON-FUNCTIONING IGNITION LOCK
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS