Steering column repair (Escort 5)

Disassembly

Remove the steering column and secure it in a vice with soft jaws. Remove the upper ring of the thrust bearing from the column, remove the steering shaft from the column.

Turn the ignition key to position "I". Using a small screwdriver or suitable rod, press the plunger in the ignition switch housing, turn the key and remove the ignition switch from the steering column (see Fig. 10.49).



Remove the spring from the steering column. Using a pry bar, remove the upper and lower thrust bearings from the steering column.

To remove the steering column height adjuster, unscrew the clamp bolt and lock nut, remove the handle with the bracket. Remove the adjuster.

Assembly

Assembly is carried out in the reverse order of disassembly, taking into account the following points:

• when installing the steering column height adjuster, lubricate the threads of the pinch bolt with Loctite, set the adjuster knob in a fixed position and tighten the bolt and nut to the specified torque;
• when installing the ignition switch in the steering column socket, the key in the switch must be in the "I" position.