The steering wheel on your Lincoln Town Car helps you rotate the center shaft on the steering column. Sometimes it is necessary to replace the steering wheel after an accident or in order to replace other components. After finding the exact replacement part for your particular Town Car model, follow these steps to install it.
Turn the ignition switch to the "On" position and set the front wheels to point straight ahead.
Make sure all the accessories are turned off and then turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position.
Remove the restraints control module (RCM) fuse. The fuse is located in the central junction box below the left side of the dashboard. The fuse is marked for easy identification. Use a fuse puller or a pair of needle-nose pliers.
Turn the ignition switch to the "On" position but do not start the engine. Make sure the air-bag indicator light on the instrument panel stays on. If not, you pulled the incorrect fuse. Then turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position.
Detach the black, negative battery cable using a wrench. Then wait for one minute to make sure the power supply to the restraint system is depleted.
Pull the bolt cover plugs located on the left and right side of the steering wheel using a small screwdriver.
Unscrew the air bag bolts using a ratchet and socket.
Pull the air bag cover slightly from the steering wheel. Unplug the electrical connectors and label them. Then remove the air bag from the steering wheel.
Unplug the clockspring electrical connector on the steering wheel.
Remove the steering wheel bolt using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket and discard the bolt.
Pull the steering wheel off the steering column shaft using a steering wheel puller.
Set the new steering wheel on the steering column shaft and torque the new steering wheel bolt to 30 foot-pounds (40 Nm). Use a torque wrench, ratchet extension and socket.
Plug the clockspring electrical connector.
Set the air bag in place and plug the electrical connectors.
Start the air-bag mounting bolts by hand and then torque the bolts to 80 inch-pounds (9 Nm) using the torque wrench, ratchet extension and socket.
Turn the ignition switch to the "On" position.
Replace the RCM fuse.
Attach the black, negative battery cable using the wrench.
Turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position for 10 seconds and then turn it back to "On." The air bag indicator light should go on for about six seconds, then turn off.
Plug a scan tool to the data link located under the dashboard and erase any Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) according to the scanner manufacturer's instructions. Your Lincoln Town Car may have stored one or more trouble codes after you removed the RCM fuse. You can rent a scan tool at your local auto parts store.
