'97 Ford Aerostar, 155k miles. Airbag model-

The problem: When I turn the wheel, there is some grabbing and tightness, and a strange grinding noise from the top of the steering column, like, right under the steering wheel. What's more, the wheel will actually pivot up and down on the steering shaft. I have tried pulling on it, and it helps loosen the grabbing, but it won't pull off in my hands or anything....


Has anyone had this situation? I suspect a bearing in the upper steering column has failed or has come loose. I guess I need to pull the bag and look around-

1. Are there any tricks to pulling the airbag?

2. Has anyone had any problem like this, and if so, how did you fix it?

Thanx in advance!

 

I had a problem like that on a much older car (1976 Granada). It was in fact the top bearing on the steering shaft that somehow came apart. I was in the parking lot of the Lincoln plant in Wixom at the time, but I had enough tools to repair it.

The bearing cage that held the ***** in place had disintegrated, allowing all the ***** to roll to the bottom, so the inner and outer races were free to move apart, then the ***** just fell out. They didn't fall far, so once I got all the other parts out of the way, I collected and cleaned them, and repacked them with some grease I happened to have. I threaded a piece of wire in between the ***** to keep them in place so they wouldn't all migrate to one spot again.

Sorry, I don't know how to disassemble a steering wheel with an air bag in it. Other owners who have done this before may be able to help there.

 

I pulled the air bag out of my 93 Taurus SHO,First take the neg cable off the battery and wait about 30mins to let computer discharge. there were 2 bolts under covers, one on each side of the steering wheel, the bag just lifted off and unplugged.

 

that's all? I want to get rid of my airbag too but I don't want the thing to explode in my face while trying to remove it.

 

I'm worried about the bag only when I'm in front of it. I just want to make sure the system is dead before I pull the connections. If it pops while I'm working on the car, I'll just go and buy another one. What are they, $200? I suspect an Aerostar bag would be cheaper than that. Cheap insurance if it saves your life.

I'm sure the problem is a bad bearing at the top of the steering column. Anyone know if the bearings are available?

 

I wouldn't know but the Aerostar shares many parts with the Ford Ranger so there will be alternatives. Start by checking with Green Sales and go from there.

Green Sales Company - Obsolete Ford parts, Lincoln, Mercury parts Green Sales Company, supplier of obsolete Ford parts and Lincoln / Mercury parts. Our Ford parts inventory represents all Ford and Lincoln / Mercury products from 1950 to the present.

 

That is all, just make sure the battery has been disconnected for about 30mins, just to make sure.

 

thank you, I will do that tomorrow. I really don't even know if there is an airbag behind the pad, I just purchased this van, but if there is, I want it out, don't trust it.

 

This is a pretty good video for removing the steering wheel. Airbag connector is identified clearly.

Ford Aerostar Actuator Rod Repair - YouTube

 

I had a bad ignition switch actuator rod and had to pull the wheel this summer. When I removed the airbag on my '95 it came off as one unit with the pad. I don't remember seeing anyway to separate the two. I have no idea what leaving the airbag connector unplugged would do other than flash a MIL.

 

oh oh, I guess i'll find out, couldn't get to it today...