I need to raise the steering wheel in a 2002 Ford Escort

It appears by you description that the position lock is not clamping up. position the wheel where you want it and look just under the dash for a lever or knob that will tighten up and hold the column in place.

Multifunction Turn Signal Lever Replacement - On Vehicle

Removal Procedure

1. Verify that the multifunction turn signal lever is in the center of the OFF position.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Disable the SIR system.
4. Remove the steering wheel.
5. Remove the steering column trim cover.
6. Remove the steering column knee bolster.
7. Remove the steering column wire harness (1) from the steering column wire harness retainer (2).
8. Remove the 2 wire harness straps from the steering column wire harness (1).
9. Remove the steering column bulkhead connector from the vehicle wire harness.
10. Disconnect the connectors from the multifunction turn signal lever steering column bulkhead connector.

1. Remove the retaining bolts (1) from the multifunction turn signal lever (2).
2. Remove the multifunction turn signal lever (2) from the steering column.

Installation Procedure

1. Install the multifunction turn signal lever (2). Use a small flat-blade in order to compress the electrical contact and move the multifunction turn signal lever into position.
2. Verify that the electrical contact rests on the canceling cam.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precaution.

1. Install the retaining bolts to the multifunction turn signal lever.

• Tighten the retaining bolts to 7 Nm (62 inch lbs.) .

1. Connect the gray and black connectors to the multifunction turn signal lever steering column bulkhead connector.
2. Connect the steering column bulkhead connector to the vehicle wire harness.
3. Install the two wire harness straps to the steering column wire harness (1).
4. Install the steering column wire harness (1) to the steering column wire harness retainer (2).
5. Install the steering column knee bolster.
6. Install the steering column trim cover.
7. Verify that the lever is in the center or the OFF position.
8. Install the steering wheel to the steering column.
9. Enable the SIR system.
10. Connect the negative battery cable.

I hope this helps you.

Thanks

1982-88 Models Fig. 4: Align the flexible coupling to specifications (shown)--1982-88 models
Fig. 5: Exploded view of the steering column--1982-88 models

1. Set the parking brake.
2. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
3. Disconnect the flexible coupling from the steering shaft flange.
4. Disconnect the shift linkage rod(s) from the column.
5. Remove the steering wheel. NOTE: If you have a tilt column, the steering wheel MUST be in the full UP position when it is removed.
   
6. Remove the floor cover screws at the base of the column.
7. Remove the steering column shroud by loosening the bottom screw and placing the shift lever in the No.1 position (on automatics) and pulling the shroud up and away from the column.
8. Remove the instrument cluster column opening cover.
9. Remove the 2 bolts securing the column support bracket to the pedal support bracket.
10. Disconnect the turn signal/hazard warning harness and the ignition switch harness.
11. Lift the column from the truck. To install:
    
12. Position the column in the van.
13. Connect the wiring.
14. Insert the column through the floor so that the flange engages the flexible coupling, then, raise the column and loosely install the bracket bolts.
15. Loosely install the flexible coupling nuts and floor plate screws.
16. Install the steering wheel.
17. Adjust the steering column as follows:
    1. Tighten the flexible coupling nuts to 35 ft. lbs. (47 Nm).
    2. Place the wheels in the straight-ahead position.
    3. Verify the safety pin-to-flange cut-out clearance of 0.160 in. with a feeler gauge.
    4. If necessary, loosen the flange nuts to adjust the clearance, then retighten the nuts when clearance is established.
    5. Tighten the column support bracket bolts to 20 ft. lbs. (27 Nm).
    6. Tighten the cover plate screws to 10 ft. lbs. (13.6 Nm).
    7. Tighten the lower clamp bolt to 10 ft. lbs. (13.6 Nm).

you should only have to pull the steering wheel and upper and lower housing on the column,

There are two bearings in the steering column. One or both may be bad. The most likely problem would be the lower bearing. While someone is turning the steering wheel look under the hood at the bottom of the steering column and see if it is rotating smoothly or kind of jumpy. You might have to place your hand on it to feel if it is smooth or jumpy (make sure the engine is off and the exhaust is not hot).

http://i48.tinypic.com/2qatvz8.jpg

a EAST fix, I removed the plastic around the steering wheel (3 bolts under the steering wheel) and I manually pulled the lever toward you to remove the key. THEN I used a zip tie to hold it back so my key can come out from now on... saved you $300 for a new tumbler

EASY fix and cost $.05cents.

This was done on my 2001 ford escort and it should work with other fords, like the focus model.

Good day
No the steering wheel don't need to be remove.
1. remove the instrument panel cluster opening finish panel assembly. remove the 3 screws that retains the upper steering column shroud and remove cover.
2. insert a scratch awl into the access hole on lower steering column shroud and push in the ignition lock cylinder release pin. insert the ignition key into the lock, turn ignition to run position and remove the lock cylinder from the steering column. remove lower steering column shroud. unsnap and slide gearshift lever boot up toward end of gearshift lever.

NOTE: ALWAYS INSTALL NEW GEARSHIFT LEVER RETAINING PIN DURING REASSEMBLY

3. remove gearshift lever retaining pin by lightly tapping with a drift punch and hammer. disconnect gearshift lever harness connector. remove gearshift lever. to install reverse removal procedure.

hope this helps

Cheers

You may have a loose shift linkage in the steering column. Remove the upper and lower plastic covers behind the steerong wheel (5 or 6 philips head) and see if you have any loose torx head or allen head screws. Ea
rlier models had this isue.

Also, go to this site for Villager Quest help.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/villagerquest/
Here's adjustment procedure too

SECTION 307-05: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission External Controls 2000 Villager Workshop Manual
GENERAL PROCEDURES Cable Adjustment —Shift Control

1. Place the gearshift lever in PARK (P) position.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Section 100-02 .

1. Remove the splash shield.

1. Loosen the shift cable nut.

1. Position the shift linkage in PARK (P) position.

1. Tighten the shift cable nut.

1. Move the gearshift lever through the entire shifting range.

1. Verify that the engine will crank with the gearshift lever in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) position.

1. Adjust the transmission range (TR) switch as necessary, refer to Section 307-01 .

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Item Part Number Description 1 043B13 Driver side air bag module 2 — Steering wheel nut 3 3600 Steering wheel 4 — Radio volume control cover 5 — Air bag sliding contact electrical connector access panel 6 — Cruise control cover 7 14A664 Air bag sliding contact 8 13K359 Multifunction switch 9 — Tilt wheel lever 10 13318 Turn indicator cancel cam 11 — Steering column assembly 12 — Steering column mounting bracket nuts (4 Req'd) 13 3C695 Lower column shroud 14 — Steering column opening cover nuts (3 Req'd) 15 — Steering column lower yoke bolt 16 3N725 Steering column lower yoke 17 — Steering column clamp bolt 18 3C695 Upper column shroud 19 7210 Gearshift lever

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

If necessary for access or service remove the steering wheel. Except for on 1967-69 simulated wood wheels, be sure to use a steering wheel puller.

1. Remove the nut/bolt from the upper intermediate shaft coupling, then separate the coupling from the lower end of the steering column.
2. If equipped with a column mounted shifter, disconnect the transmission control linkage from the column shift tube levers.
3. If equipped with a floor shifter, disconnect the backdrive linkage.
4. Disengage all of the electrical connectors from the steering column assembly.
5. Remove the floor pan cover-to-floor screws, the floor seal, and the cover.
6. Remove the steering column bracket-to-instrument panel nuts and carefully lower the column. If equipped with an automatic transmission, disconnect the shift position indictor pointer.

Once the steering column has been removed from the vehicle, be careful not to drop it (especially on it's end), lean on it or damage it in any way; the column is very susceptible to damage.

1. Remove the column from the vehicle.

To install:

1. Position the steering column in the vehicle. If equipped with an automatic transmission, connect the shift position indicator pointer.
2. Raise the column into position, then install the column bracket-to-instrument panel nuts and tighten to 25 ft. lbs. (34 Nm).
3. Install the floor pan seal and cover, then secure using the retaining screws.
4. Engage all of the electrical connectors to the steering column assembly.
5. If equipped with a floor shifter, connect the backdrive linkage.
6. If equipped with a column mounted shifter, connect the transmission control linkage to the column shift tube levers.
7. Connect the intermediate shaft coupling to the lower end of the steering column, then secure using the nut/bolt.
8. If removed for access or service, align the matchmarks and install the steering wheel.
9. Connect the negative battery cable.

Good luck..

If your vehicle is equipped with air bags and you don't know how to disable them, you should not attempt to do this repair yourself. You need to remove the steering wheel, (a puller is required for this), and remove the multifunction switch. Lower the steering column by removing the upper mount bolts, and this will enable you to remove the cylinder. The switch is a separate part beneath the cylinder.