On 2008 and later models, the manufacturer advises replacing all suspension and steering system fasteners that require specific torque whenever they have been removed, except for the subframe bolts. To begin, centralize the steering wheel with the front wheels straight ahead, remove the keys, and lock the steering. Inside the vehicle, remove the securing bolt from the sleeve connecting the column to the steering rack. Apply the parking brake, jack up the front, and support it on axlestands before removing both front wheels. Unscrew the tie-rod end nuts and detach the rods from the arms on the steering knuckles using a conventional balljoint removal tool, taking care not to damage the balljoint seals. Remove the connecting links from the struts and stabilizer bar, ensuring the balljoint seals remain undamaged. If applicable, remove the undershield from the engine, then remove the bolt from the support bracket on the transaxle unit. Unbolt and take off the heat shield from the steering rack by removing the two retaining bolts. Remove the screw securing the hose support clamp to the housing on the steering gear pinion. Position a container beneath the steering rack, unscrew the bolt securing the rack and pinion pipes, identify the lines, rotate the clamp, disconnect the pipes, and check the O-ring seals for damage while allowing fluid to drain into the container. Cover the apertures in the steering rack and the ends of the fluid pipes to prevent dust and dirt from entering the hydraulic circuit. Support the front crossmember with a floor jack and remove the six retaining bolts, using a special tool for alignment during reassembly or marking the mounting points if the tool is unavailable. Lower the crossmember, disconnecting the steering pinion drive and the floor seal from the steering column pinion housing, and remove the lower securing bolt from the steering column extension when visible. Unscrew and remove the steering rack mounting bolts, then withdraw the steering rack from the crossmember, taking care not to damage any components. With the steering rack removed, replace the bushings in the housing, using a long bolt with a metal tube and washers to press the new bushings into the housing if a special tool is not available, ensuring correct depth installation. For installation, reverse the removal process while checking the O-rings on the steering fluid pipes for damage and replacing them if necessary, ensuring the pressure valve is correctly located in the valve body, and checking the steering column floor seal for damage and proper location on the pinion housing. Jack the crossmember into the correct position on the chassis using the aligning tool if available, ensuring the crossmember ball-bearing washers are installed correctly before tightening the bolts to their specified torque. Replace the pinch bolt(s) in the steering pinion sleeve, fill and bleed the system with steering fluid, and check the front wheel alignment.
Posted by FordPartsGiant Specialist 
