Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Service and Repair
CLOCKSPRING
Removal
WARNING:
- Always carry or place a live air bag module with the air bag and deployment door/trim cover/tear seam pointed away from the body. Do not set a live air bag module down with the deployment door/trim cover/tear seam face down. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- To reduce the risk of accidental deployment, do not use any memory saver devices. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury or death.
NOTE:
- The air bag warning indicator illuminates when the restraints control module (RCM) fuse is removed and the ignition switch is ON. This is normal operation and does not indicate a supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault.
- The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.
- Repair is made by installing a new part only. If the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and carry out the diagnostic procedure again.
1. Depower the SRS.
2. Remove the driver air bag module.
3. CAUTION: Make sure the road wheels are in the straight-ahead (12 O'clock) position. Failure to follow this instruction may cause damage to the clockspring. Remove the steering wheel.
4. Apply 2 strips of masking tape across the clockspring to prevent accidental rotation when the clockspring is removed.
5. Position the tilt steering column all the way up to allow for lower and upper steering column shroud removal.
6. Remove the tilt column lever.
7. Remove the 3 lower steering column shroud screws.
8. Release the retainers to the upper steering column shroud and remove the lower shroud.
9. Remove the upper steering column shroud.
10. Disconnect the clockspring electrical connector.
11. 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.
CAUTION: Make sure the road wheels are in the straight-ahead (12 o'clock) position. Failure to follow this instruction may cause damage to the clockspring.
NOTE: If a clockspring has rotated out of center, carry out the following steps.
2. CAUTION: Overturning will destroy the clockspring. The internal ribbon wire acts as the stop and may 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 three screws.
10. Install the tilt column lever.
11. Install the steering wheel.
12. Install the driver air bag module.
13. Repower the SRS.