Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Service and Repair

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG, PASSENGER AIRBAG, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

REMOVAL
The clockspring cannot be repaired. It must be replaced if faulty or damaged, or if the driver airbag has been deployed.

NOTE: Before starting this procedure, be certain to turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.

1. Place the front wheels in the straight ahead position.
2. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel.
3. Disconnect the two upper clockspring pigtail wire connectors from the two speed control switches or the two trim bezels located within the two spoke cavities of the steering wheel.

CAUTION: Be certain that the screws that secure the steering wheel puller to the steering wheel are fully engaged in the steering wheel armature without passing through the steering wheel and damaging the clockspring.

4. Remove the steering wheel from the steering column.
5. Remove the steering column opening cover from the instrument panel.

Fig. 18 Steering Column Shrouds Remove/Install:

6. From below the steering column, remove the two screws that secure the lower steering column shroud to the upper shroud.
7. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional tilt steering column, move the tilt steering column to the fully lowered position and leave the tilt release lever in the released (down) position.
8. Using hand pressure, push gently inward on both sides of the upper shroud near the parting line between the upper and lower shrouds to release the snap features that secure it to the lower shroud.
9. Remove both the upper and lower shrouds from the steering column.

Fig. 19 Clockspring Remove/Install - Typical:

10. Disconnect the two body wire harness connectors for the clockspring from the two connector receptacles below the steering column on the back of the clockspring housing.
11. Using a small screwdriver, gently pry both plastic latches that secure the clockspring away from the steering column upper housing far enough to pull the clockspring away from the upper housing.

NOTE: If the clockspring plastic latches are broken, be certain to remove the broken pieces from the steering column upper housing.

12. Remove the clockspring from the steering column upper housing. The clockspring cannot be repaired. It must be replaced if faulty or damaged, or if the driver airbag has been deployed.
13. If the removed clockspring is to be reused, be certain to secure the clockspring rotor to the clockspring case to maintain clockspring centering until it is reinstalled on the steering column. If clockspring centering is not maintained, the clockspring must be centered again before it is reinstalled.

INSTALLATION
The clockspring cannot be repaired. It must be replaced if faulty or damaged, or if the driver airbag has been deployed.

If the clockspring is not properly centered in relation to the steering wheel, steering shaft and steering gear, it may be damaged. Service replacement clocksprings are shipped pre-centered and with a plastic locking pin installed. This locking pin should not be removed until the clockspring has been installed on the steering column. If the locking pin is removed before the clockspring is installed on a steering column, the clockspring centering procedure must be performed.

NOTE: Before starting this procedure, be certain that the front wheels are still in the straight-ahead position.

1. Be certain that the left multi-function switch control stalk is in the neutral position, then carefully slide the centered clockspring down over the steering column upper shaft until both the upper and lower clockspring latches engage the steering column upper housing.
2. Reconnect the two body wire harness connectors for the clockspring to the two connector receptacles below the steering column on the back of the clockspring housing.
3. Position both the upper and lower shrouds onto the steering column. Be certain that the locating tabs for the left and right multi-function switch control stalk water shields are properly engaged in the openings of both the upper and lower shrouds.
4. Align the snap features on the upper shroud with the receptacles on the lower shroud and apply hand pressure to snap them together.
5. From below the steering column, install and tighten the two screws that secure the lower steering column shroud to the upper shroud. Tighten the screws to 2 N.m (18 in. lbs.).
6. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional tilt steering column, move the tilt steering column to the fully raised position and secure it in place by moving the tilt release lever back to the locked (up) position.
7. Reinstall the steering column opening cover onto the instrument panel.
8. If a new clockspring has been installed, remove the locking pin that is securing the clockspring rotor to the clockspring case to maintain clockspring centering.
9. Reinstall the steering wheel onto the steering column.
10. Reconnect the two upper clockspring pigtail wire connectors to the two speed control switches or the two trim bezels located within the two spoke cavities of the steering wheel.
11. Reinstall the driver airbag onto the steering wheel.