Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Service and Repair

Clockspring


To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supplemental restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect the negative battery 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 SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.


The clockspring tapes will be damaged if the unit does not remain centered, and such damage is not covered under the provisions of the vehicle warranty. If clockspring centering is not maintained during the performance of any vehicle service procedure, the clockspring centering procedure must be performed. Refer to => [ Clockspring Centering ] Clockspring Centering.

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

Removing






- Place the front wheels in the straight ahead position.

- Disconnect the negative battery cable.

- Remove the drivers airbag. Refer to => [ Drivers Side Airbag ] Drivers Side Airbag.

- Disconnect the steering wheel wire harness connector from the upper clockspring connector (3).


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.

- Remove the steering wheel.

- If the clockspring (1) is to be reused, be certain to secure the clockspring rotor to the clockspring case in order to maintain clockspring centering until the steering wheel is installed on the steering column. If the clockspring centering is not maintained, the clockspring must be centered again before the steering wheel is installed. Refer to => [ Clockspring Centering ] Clockspring Centering.

- Remove the upper and lower steering column trim. Refer to => [ Steering Column Trim, Lower ] Steering Column Trim, Lower.

- Remove the lower screw (2) securing the face of the clockspring to the steering column.






- From above the steering column (3), completely loosen the screws (1) securing the back of the clockspring (2) to the column. These screws are captive and will remain with the clockspring after it is removed from the steering column.

- Pull the clockspring rearward far enough to access and disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connectors from the connectors on the rear of the multifunction switch, adjustable pedal switch (if equipped), the steering angle sensor and the clockspring.

- Remove the clockspring from the steering column.

- Unlatch and remove the multifunction switch and adjustable pedal switch (if equipped) from the clockspring mounting bracket.

- The clockspring and the SAS cannot be repaired. They must be replaced as a unit if either is ineffective or damaged, or if the drivers airbag has been deployed.

Installing


If the clockspring is not properly centered in relation to the steering wheel, steering shaft and steering gear, the clockspring tapes will be damaged, and such damage is not covered under the provisions of the vehicle warranty. If clockspring centering is not maintained during the performance of any vehicle service procedure, the clockspring centering procedure MUST be performed. Refer to => [ Clockspring Centering ] Clockspring Centering.

Service replacement clocksprings are shipped pre-centered and with a locking pin installed. This locking pin should not be removed until after the steering wheel has been installed on the steering column. If the locking pin is removed before the steering wheel is installed on a steering column, the clockspring centering procedure must be performed. Refer to => [ Clockspring Centering ] Clockspring Centering.

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








- Engage and latch the multifunction switch and the adjustable pedal switch (if equipped) onto the clockspring (2) mounting bracket.

- Carefully slide the centered clockspring down over the steering column (3) shaft.

- Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness connectors to the connectors on the rear of the multifunction switch, adjustable pedal switch (if equipped), steering angle sensor and the clockspring.

- From above the steering column, align and tighten the upper screws (1) securing the back of the clockspring to the column.






- Install and tighten the lower screw (2) securing the face of the clockspring (1) to the steering column.

- Install the upper and lower steering column trim. Refer to => [ Steering Column Trim, Lower ] Steering Column Trim, Lower.

• When reinstalling the steering wheel, be certain to index the engagement dowel/drive pin on the upper surface of the clockspring rotor with the slot cast into the lower surface of the steering wheel armature hub.

- Install the steering wheel.

- If a new clockspring was installed, remove the plastic locking pin that is securing the clockspring rotor to the clockspring case in order to maintain clockspring centering. If the original clockspring is being reinstalled, remove whatever device was used to maintain clockspring centering during removal.

- Reconnect the steering wheel wire harness connector to the clockspring upper connector. Be certain that the steering wheel wire harness is routed between the steering wheel back trim cover and the steering wheel armature.

- Install the drivers airbag. Refer to => [ Drivers Side Airbag ] Drivers Side Airbag.

- Connect the negative battery cable.