warthogdriver

ok, turned the key, stang fired up. went to shut off and the key just turned freely. luckily i have a stick so i stalled it. after looking into it i guessed that the plastic shaft in the steering assembly was broken or worse. the plastic shaft moves with the lock cylinder then in turn move the ignition switch further down the assembly.

work was done on a 95 v6 manual. should apply to any 94-04.

tools:
13 millimeter socket / wrench
8 millimeter socket / wrench
torx bit 20
torx bit 27
torx bit 47
small straight screwdriver
phiilps screwdriver
zip ties

***this involves the airbag system, if not comfortable then dont attempt, not responsible if you damage your car.***

first off disconnect the battery, i removed the entire steering assembly from the dash.

remove the lower knee panel trim (8 mm) and steel plate (8 mm)


next remove the column trim, bottom portion first. there are four phillips screws in the trim.


now go under the dash and remove the ignition module. it is on the left side of the column when looking to front of car. (7mm)


on right side of the column there are two connections that need to be disconnected. one is the airbag (be gentle)


next put your key in the lock cylinder and turn it to on, on the bottom side of the column there is a small button. use a small screwdriver or punch to push the button in to release the lock cylinder and pull it out of the comlumn.


with the lock cylinder removed take the upper portion of column trim off. then remove the blinker/multiswitch. (torx bit 20)


take the (torx bit 47) and remove the bolt holding the steering shaft to the steering assembly. it is a pinch joint so the bolt needs to completely out to separate the shaft and column.


at this point make sure that all electrical connectors are disconnected. your stang may have more or less depending on options and year.

on you can remove the four nuts that hold the steering assembly to the frame of the dash. (13mm) be sure to support the assembly as you drop it. i find it easier to remove the two nuts in the back first then the two at the front.
with the nuts removed the assembly should drop down, it may bind up.


now slowly maneuver the assembly out of the dash, be sure to keep an eye on the wiring and connectors, now is no the time to yank things quickly.

now to take the assembly apart.
make sure that the steering wheel does not spin freely at any time. you will disturb the clock spring under the airbag...not a good thing at all. i used several zip ties to do this.

there are two bolts at the tilt joint that need to come out. (torx bit 27)
be aware that this spring will fly out, secure it and use caution.


now go to the end opposite the steering wheel and remove the two bolts (torx 27) and remove the small retaining spring.


at this point you should be able to slide the shaft out of the assembly. still be sure not to allow the steering wheel to turn.


once apart you can see the issue. in my case the pin holding the two plastic shafts together came out. (easy fix)


the pin when connected fits in the slider that engages the ignition module


in order to get the lower plastic slider out you need to remove the ignition module. (torx bit 20)


do not move the pin on the ignition module around, you need it to align when done.

with the two plastic shafts free, slide the lower piece outward and then insert the pin in the upper portion then combine the two parts. once together they should move freely. you can test it by using a small straight screwdriver to simulate the lock cylinder movement.


once your certain it moves freely you can reassemble the steering assembly.
no you dont need an special tools to do this.

when you try to put the upper and lower portion together at the tilt joint you need to compress the two arms that make up the tilt connection. once they are in place you can put the two torx bolts back in as well as the spring. the spring is not hard to put in place by hand. once the connection is secure tighten the bolts on each side. these bolts act like a hinge so be sure they are in correctly. it should look like this.


at the end opposite the steering wheel re-install the parts removed. there is a plastic bushing "washer" and the retaining spring. once those parts are in place you can put in the two torx bolts that hold that end of the assembley together.

like so


now its time to put the assembly back in the dash. gently install it, be sure not to pinch any wires while installing. also make sure that you have aligned the end of the steering shaft with the pinch joint on the assembly before you connect it to the dash framing or you will have to drop it out again. once the shafts are connected loosely install the four nuts holding the assembley to the frame. reconnect all you connectors, double check how many you undid.
ignition module, air bags, etc. install the multiswitch and then the upper column trim. then the lock cylinder, if you have not moved the key in the cylinder it should slide right back in. do not force the cylinder.

now double check your electrical, tighten up the four nuts on the frame and then finish up with the trim. then reconnect the battery. all good to go.

now if those two plastic sliders are broken it is a dealer item. i have no idea why the pin fell out of mine, i guess almost 20 years of use did it.

hope this helps, let me know if missed something or you have questions.

Ugeneh89

I have a question would it be easier to just swap out the the entire steering column. I have the same problem and they want to charge me 280. If I do swap out the steering column do I use different airbag connections