Ford Explorer & Mercury Mountaineer: Lowering the Steering Column

Video Transcript

"Here we're demonstrating how to change a heater core on a late model Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer. In this step, we're going to talk about the proper service procedure for lowering your vehicle's steering column. Now the first thing you're going to want to do is lock the steering column in place. We're going to do that by removing the key, and taking it and turning it. I have the steering wheel locked, as you can see we can't turn it very far. That's going to keep from damaging the contacts and what they call the clocking spring for your air bag. You're going to have to take and lock your steering wheel, it's crucial. Once you have the steering wheel locked, normally you have two bolts to deal with, these happen to be a 13 millimeter, one located here, and one on the other side of the steering column. They're a "lefty loosey, righty tighty" kind of bolt, and I'm going to go ahead and take those out for you right now. Alright there's one, take a good look at it, and for the second one. I like to take and put my elbow up against the steering column, just to make sure it doesn't come crashing down on your head when you get the final threads undone. And there's the last one. Alright, once you have all the bolts out, now they're either a two-bolt or a four-bolt system, take and remove this knee blocker brace, and let the steering column slip down out of the way, just like so. That is the proper service procedure for lowering your vehicle's steering column."