Ford Explorer: Instrument Panel and Console / Removal and Installation - Instrument Panel

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Removal

All vehicles

NOTE: Removal steps in this procedure may contain installation details.

1. Drain the cooling system.
   Refer to: Engine Cooling System Draining, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding (303-03D Engine Cooling - 3.3L Duratec-V6 – Hybrid (BP), General Procedures).
   Refer to: Engine Cooling System Draining, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding (303-03C Engine Cooling - 3.3L Duratec-V6, General Procedures).
   Refer to: Engine Cooling System Draining, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding (303-03B Engine Cooling - 3.0L EcoBoost, General Procedures).
   Refer to: Engine Cooling System Draining, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding (303-03A Engine Cooling - 2.3L EcoBoost (201kW/273PS), General Procedures).
   

1. Evacuate the refrigerant.
   Refer to: Air Conditioning (A/C) System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging - Vehicles With: R1234YF Refrigerant (412-00 Climate Control System - General Information, General Procedures).
   

1. Remove the nut from the thermostatic expansion valve manifold and tube assembly.
   Torque: 155 lb.in (17.5 Nm)

1. Remove the wiper linkage assembly.
   Refer to: Wiper Linkage Assembly (501-16 Wipers and Washers, Removal and Installation).
   

1. NOTE: Plug the heater core tubes.

   Disconnect the heater hoses.
   

1. Remove the LH cowl to in-vehicle cross beam bolts.
   Torque: 18 lb.ft (25 Nm)

1. Remove the RH cowl to in-vehicle cross beam bolt.
   Torque: 26 lb.ft (35 Nm)

1. Remove the floor console.
   Refer to: Floor Console (501-12 Instrument Panel and Console, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Remove the A-Pillar trim panel.
   Refer to: A-Pillar Trim Panel (501-05 Interior Trim and Ornamentation, Removal and Installation).
   

1. 
   Release the clips and remove the RH scuff plate.
   
   • Disconnect the electrical connector.
     Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

1. Release the clips and remove the RH instrument panel end cap.
   Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

1. 
   Remove the LH scuff plate.
   
   1. Remove the hood latch release handle.
      Refer to: Hood Latch Release Handle (501-14 Handles, Locks, Latches and Entry Systems, Removal and Installation).
      
   2. Release the clips and remove the LH scuff plate.
      

1. Release the clips and remove the LH instrument panel end cap.
   Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

Police vehicles

1. 
   Remove the bolts, release the clips and remove instrument panel lower trim panel.
   
   • Disconnect the electrical connectors.
     Torque: 28 lb.in (3.2 Nm)

All vehicles

1. Remove the push pins and position the floor carpet aside.
   

1. Remove the push pins and the HVAC duct.
   

1. Depower the SRS.
   Refer to: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, General Procedures).
   

1. Disconnect the electrical connectors, release the harness retainers and position aside the electrical harness.
   

1. 
   Release the push pin and remove the drivers side insulation panel.
   
   • Remove the bolts.
     Torque: 28 lb.in (3.2 Nm)
   • Remove the nut.
     Torque: 22 lb.in (2.5 Nm)
   • Disconnect the electrical connector.
     

1. Remove the access cover.
   

1. 
   Remove the bolts, release the clips and remove the lower steering column trim panel.
   
   • Release the tabs and position aside the electrical connector and harness.
     Torque: 17 lb.in (1.9 Nm)

1. Disconnect the electrical connectors, detach the harness retainers and position aside the electrical harness.
   

1. Disconnect the electrical connector.
   

Police vehicles

1. NOTICE: Do not pull or pry on the selector lever cable or the selector lever cable end may be damaged. Use a screwdriver and turn the screwdriver as shown to pry the cable end off the post as close to the post as possible.

   Using a screwdriver, pry the selector lever cable end from the selector lever mechanism.
   Use the General Equipment: Flat Headed Screw Driver

1. Remove the selector lever cable mount retainer and remove the selector lever cable from the bracket.
   

All vehicles

1.   WARNING: Do not reuse steering column shaft bolts. This may result in fastener failure and steering column shaft detachment or loss of steering control. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).

   Remove and discard the steering column shaft bolt and separate the steering column shaft from the steering column.
   Torque: Nm

1. 
   Release the push pins and remove the RH insulation panel.
   
   • Disconnect the electrical connector.
     

1. Remove the nut at the HVAC case.
   Torque: 62 lb.in (7 Nm)

1. Disconnect the electrical connectors.
   

1. Remove the bolts and the instrument panel center support bracket.
   Torque: 106 lb.in (12 Nm)

1. NOTE: Leave one bolt finger tight to hold the instrument panel in place prior to the final step.

   Remove the LH insturment panel to a-pillar bolts.
   Torque: 26 lb.ft (35 Nm)

1. NOTE: Leave one bolt finger tight to hold the instrument panel in place prior to the final step.

   Remove the RH instrument panel to a-pillar bolts.
   

1. NOTE: To avoid damaging the instrument panel, an assistant is required when carrying out this step.

   NOTE: Make sure not to damage the instrument panel when removing the instrument panel from the vehicle

   NOTE: Make sure that all electrical connectors and wiring are not hindered before removing the instrument panel or damage to the components may occur.

   Remove the instrument panel through the RH door opening.
   

Installation

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
   

1. Fill and bleed the cooling system.
   Refer to: Engine Cooling System Draining, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding (303-03D Engine Cooling - 3.3L Duratec-V6 – Hybrid (BP), General Procedures).
   Refer to: Engine Cooling System Draining, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding (303-03C Engine Cooling - 3.3L Duratec-V6, General Procedures).
   Refer to: Engine Cooling System Draining, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding (303-03B Engine Cooling - 3.0L EcoBoost, General Procedures).
   Refer to: Engine Cooling System Draining, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding (303-03A Engine Cooling - 2.3L EcoBoost (201kW/273PS), General Procedures).
   

1. NOTE: Anytime the parking brake switch electrical connector has been disconnected, the EPB system is deactivated and a DTC is stored in the EPB module. Perform the following step to restore the EPB system and clear the EPB module DTC.

   Apply and release the parking brake twice within 5 seconds, pausing with the switch in the NEUTRAL position for approximately one-half second between each apply and release. Using a diagnostic scan tool, clear the EPB module DTC.
   

1. Repower the SRS.
   Refer to: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Repowering (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, General Procedures).