My lever will not return to the neutral position after a turn. Can I replace this unit by removing the the trim around the steering column or do I need to remove the steering wheel and airbag.

 

Remove the trim and there is 2 little torx headed screws in there. It just comes off and unplugs. You may need to remove the tilt lever also.

 

My car had only three screws securing the steering column trim, but there was a place for a fourth screw that could only be accessed by removing the trim on another trim panel that covers the lower portion of the steering column near your knees.

Disconnect the battery. Remove the ignition switch by inserting a thin rod in the extra hole in the lower steering column trim with the ignition switch on. Move the steering wheel to full down and remove the top trim then move to full up and remove the tilt lever (unscrews) and bottom trim. Two torx fasteners and three electrical connectors hold the turn signal lever.
There are two different turn signal switches depending on the the year of the car. The old system requires some extra work because one of the electrical connectors has changed. I had to return the first lever that I ordered because it did not come with the extra connector. The correct replacement lever for my 2003 Crown Vic came with a separate electrical connector to adapt to the older setup.

 

Thanks for the follow up post. That information will help someone else in the future.