TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN No.

43/2001
Car and Light/Medium Commercial 14.03.2001

Section: 211-0412,

Model: Mondeo

Markets: All

Subject: Creaking and knocking which can be felt, and sometimes heard, from the steering wheel
during load changes especially at low ambient temperatures and after short term parking of
the vehicle

Summary
Should a customer express concern over creaking and knocking which can be felt, and sometimes heard,
from the steering wheel during load changes especially at low ambient temperatures and after short term
parking of the vehicle, the probable cause is too much friction in the steering shaft length compensator and
the steering shaft is incorrectly adjusted. To rectify the concern, the steering shaft should be loosened and
the steering shaft bush lubricated with silicone grease. When the steering shaft is installed, the installation
dimension of 70 mm for the length compensator must be maintained.

Parts Required

Description Finis Code

Silicone grease 5 030 186

Clamp bolt, steering shaft 6 634 708

Labour Time

Loosen steering shaft, (0.6 hours)
lubricate steering shaft bush
and install steering shaft

Repair Code

Causal Part:

Defect Code: 41

ACES Condition
Code:

Service Instructions
See Summary.
 1. Remove the facia crash padding lower cover (RHD shown).
1 Remove the screws.
2 Release the clips.
3 Remove the Electronic Automated Temperature Control (EATC) sensor.

2. Remove and discard the steering shaft lower clamp bolt.

CAUTION:
Do not turn the steering wheel more than 90 , in order to prevent unintended deployment of the
airbag.

Note:
Do NOT turn on the ignition on a vehicle with Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), in order to
prevent unintentional alteration of the turning angle sensor.

Note:
 Manually apply the silicone grease to the sliding surfaces and not into the grooves.

3. Grease the steering shaft bush with silicone grease (see Parts Required).
1 After applying the silicone grease, fully extend and retract the steering shaft length
compensator several times.
4. Repeat step 3 twice.

5. Using a pre-prepared spacer, set the steering shaft length compensator to 70 mm.

6. Insert a new steering shaft lower clamp bolt (see Parts Required) and tighten finger tight.

7. Check the steering shaft length compensator according to step 5, readjust as necessary.

8. Tighten the steering shaft lower clamp bolt.

Note:
Installation position of the EATC sensor.
9. Install all other components in reverse order.