Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Service and Repair

Clockspring









Removal

NOTE: The air bag warning indicator illuminates when the correct Restraints Control Module (RCM) fuse is removed and the ignition is ON.

NOTE: The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

1. Remove the steering wheel. For additional information, refer to Steering Column Removal and Replacement.

2. Apply 2 strips of masking tape across the clockspring to prevent accidental rotation when the clockspring is removed.





3. Position the tilt steering column all the way up to allow for lower and upper steering column shroud removal.

4. Remove the tilt column lever.

5. Remove the 3 lower steering column shroud screws.

6. Release the retainers to the upper steering column shroud and remove the lower shroud.

7. Remove the upper steering column shroud.

8. Disconnect the clockspring electrical connector.

9. Release the 3 clockspring retaining clips and slide the clockspring off the steering column.





Installation

Vehicles receiving a new clockspring

1. NOTE: A new clockspring is supplied in a centralized position and held there with a key.

Remove the key from the clockspring, holding the rotor in its centralized position.

- Do not allow the clockspring rotor to turn.

Vehicles needing clockspring recentering

WARNING: If the clockspring is not correctly centralized, it may fail prematurely. If in doubt, repeat the centralizing procedure. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

NOTICE: Make sure the road wheels are in the straight-ahead position. Damage to the clockspring may occur.

NOTE: If a clockspring has rotated out of center, carry out the following steps:

2. NOTICE: Overturning will destroy the clockspring. The internal ribbon wire acts as the stop and can be broken from its internal connection.

Turn the rotor counterclockwise until it stops.

- While turning the rotor counterclockwise, carefully feel for the ribbon wire to run out of length. Stop turning when a slight resistance is felt.





3. Turn the rotor clockwise and stop when the arrows line up.





4. Turn the rotor clockwise 2 complete turns and stop when the arrows line up. This is the center point of the clockspring.
- Do not allow the rotor to turn from this position.





Vehicle repairs reusing the same clockspring

5. NOTE: When the tape is removed, do not allow the clockspring to turn.

Remove the tape applied during clockspring removal.

All vehicles

6. NOTE: Slight turning of the clockspring rotor is allowable for alignment purposes to the steering column.

With the flats of the clockspring aligned to the flats of the steering column, slide the clockspring onto the steering column engaging the retaining tabs.





7. Connect the clockspring electrical connector.

8. Position the upper steering column shroud.
- If equipped, engage the column shift lever boot to the upper steering column shroud.

9. Position and engage the lower steering column shroud to the column shift lever boot and upper steering column shroud and install the 3 screws.

10. Install the tilt column lever.

11. Install the steering wheel. For additional information, refer to Steering Column Removal and Replacement.

12. Install the driver air bag module. For additional information, refer to Driver Air Bag Module Driver Air Bag Module.

13. Repower the SRS. For additional information, refer to Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering and Repowering Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering and Repowering in the General Procedures information.