Below is a 2002 crown victoria steering column, steering shafts, and
steering gear
![](PICT0197-vi.jpg)
Here is the front of the steering wheel with the airbag removed
![](PICT0203-vi.jpg)
![](PICT0205-vi.jpg)
And the steering column with the steering wheel removed
![](PICT0211-vi.jpg)
Here is a closeup of the end of the steering column showing components
including:
-steering column->midshaft u-joint
-steering wheel rotation speed sensor
-lower shaft bearing
-transmission shifter linkage
-brake-shift interlock
![](PICT0220-vi.jpg)
Here is the front part of a ford steering column seperated from the
lower part at the tilt-column pivot junction
![](PICT0224-vi.jpg)
![](PICT0227-vi.jpg)
![](PICT0230-vi.jpg)
![](PICT0232-vi.jpg)
Here are the steering shafts which run through the steering column. The
slightly longer shaft would fit in the 1990-1994 crownvics, the
slightly shorter one in the 1995-2002 crownvics.
Other ford vehicles use similar shafts, but the clocking of the shaft
where the steering wheel connects is often at a slightly different
angle.
![](PICT5124-vi.jpg)
Sometimes, this pivot junction gets loose and causes lack of steering
feel
![](PICT5133-vi.jpg)
Here's the middle bearing that the shaft spins on.
![](PICT5140-vi.jpg)
And the front upper bearing that would be located directly in front of
the steering wheel.
Note that this particular steering column is from a mustang cobra
convertible car that had a manual transmission. So there's an extra
lever labelled "PUSH" that you have to press prior to removing the
ignition key.
![](PICT5142-vi.jpg)
![](PICT5144-vi.jpg)
![](PICT5146-vi.jpg)
The key head is somewhat thick because it's equipped with the passive
antitheft system (PATS) transponder.
![](PICT5147-vi.jpg)
Here are all of the steering shafts that would connect the steering
wheel to the steering gear in 1995-2002 crown vics. Problems in anyone
of these joints could cause poor steering feel or poor return to center
after turns.
![](PICT5153-vi.jpg)
![](PICT5156-vi.jpg)
The black plastic bushing is where the midshaft passes through the
firewall. In this particular case, the bearing in the firewall was worn
and the plastic sleeve cracked.
![](PICT5161-vi.jpg)
Here are the parts layed side by side
![](PICT5162-vi.jpg)
Here's a steering rack for a 1996 ford taurus with the linkage that
connects the steering column to the rack attached
![](PICT0235-vi.jpg)
And the same parts as above with the steering column from a mustang
cobra added
![](PICT0239-vi.jpg)
Here's a closeup of the linkage from a wrecked 2004 ford taurus with 5k
miles.
In this case, the assembly is fully extended to allow maxium movement
of the vehicle's unibody in relation to the subframe.
![](PICT0245-vi.jpg)
In this case, the shaft is fully retracted
![](PICT0251-vi.jpg)
Here's a few shots of the steering rack itself
![](PICT0258-vi.jpg)
![](PICT0260-vi.jpg)
![](PICT0264-vi.jpg)
![](PICT0265-vi.jpg)
Note that the linkage which connects the steering column to the
steering rack in 2003-2009 crown vics uses numerous u-joints rather
than sliding parts like shown on the taurus column.