2002 Focus - Steering Column Locking Lever

[ktmsuperduke999]

The steering column locking lever won't stay in the locked position. I haven't pulled the trim panels yet to see what might be the problem. Any ideas what to look for before I dig into this project?

Thanks,
KTM

[ktmsuperduke999]

Another great Ford design: the locking cam is two plastic parts that rub against each other. One is a ramp and the other is more square. When the square runs up the ramp and comes to rest on the top of the ramp where it is flat, the steering wheel is locked. The problem comes when with time the two parts wear and the ramp no long has a flat on the top and the square is now the same angle as the ramp....thus always trying to push down the ramp under load. All that said..and the parts I need are serviced as part of the entire column....so off to the junk yard I go! Way to go Ford! Thanks for thinking about your customer. The vehicle is only 5 years old and 77,000 miles.